How ‘Hidden Figures’ Inspires Women in STEM Fields
By Joanna Geraghty
Originally published by Fortune
In my role at JetBlue, I see firsthand how important science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are to shaping future generations of leaders. Most of the critical functions of JetBlue require STEM, including aircraft flight, repair, and routing.
Yet the aviation industry still lacks women in technical and analytical positions, a trend that is seen throughout the aviation sector. Women pilots, for instance, represent less than 7% of the commercial pilot population, and women represent less than 3% of all mechanics, according to 2015 data from the Federal Aviation Administration.
A background in STEM, coupled with strong people skills, will help develop women leaders not just in aviation, but the workforce overall. STEM skills will impact innovation, business performance, and economic growth, in areas from data analytics to artificial intelligence.