The Impact of Mentorship on the Career Development of Women in STEM Fields: A Systematic Review

Introduction

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) careers encompass a wide range of fields that rely on knowledge and application of these subjects. These careers are regarded as the jobs of the future, contributing to sustainable development, social well-being, and inclusive growth (UN Women and Bello, 2020). However, women continue to be underrepresented in STEM fields, particularly in areas such as energy, engineering, transportation, information technology, and computing. This gender disparity can be attributed, in part, to the higher enrollment of women in biological sciences compared to physical sciences, where men dominate (AAS et al., 2020). The underrepresentation of women in STEM fields is a concern that has been widely recognized.

Globally, only 29% of researchers are women, while men make up the remaining 71% (AAS et al., 2020). This “leaky pipeline” phenomenon refers to the decreasing numbers of women as they progress from undergraduate studies to the PhD level and eventually into the workforce (Fisher et al., 2020). The percentage of women who enter and remain in STEM careers is lower than that of their male counterparts, indicating a systemic issue.

Several factors contribute to this gender disparity in STEM. The lack of female role models, gender stereotyping, a hostile work environment, and a lack of family-friendly flexibility in STEM fields are among the barriers that women face (Herrmann et al., 2016). Addressing these challenges and promoting the inclusion and advancement of women in STEM requires targeted strategies, one of which is mentorship. Mentoring is a relationship in which a more experienced individual provides guidance and support to a less experienced person, facilitating their transition in knowledge, work, and thinking (Meschitti & Smith, 2017). In the context of STEM, mentorship plays a pivotal role in empowering women and fostering their career development. A mentor serves as a strategic advisor, offering professional and personal guidance to help their mentees navigate the challenges of STEM careers. Research demonstrates the significant impact of mentoring on career outcomes and attitudes. Workplace mentorship has been linked to positive career attitudes, work attitudes, and various career outcomes (Eby et al., 2009; Meschitti & Smith, 2017).

Mentorship has also been recognized as a strategy for promoting academic success, career development, and personal growth. It has been particularly successful in advancing the careers of women scientists when women serve as role models and engage in same-gender mentorship relationships (Swanson, 2022). Mentors play a crucial role in building professional networks for women in STEM by connecting them with influential individuals in their respective fields (Varkey et al., 2012). Peer mentoring, where colleagues provide support and encouragement, can also contribute to the career advancement of women in STEM by fostering confidence and a sense of belonging (Freedman et al., 2023).

The current literature lacks comprehensive information on the impact of mentorship specifically on women in STEM fields. Given the unique challenges and barriers faced by women in these male-dominated fields, it is essential to examine how mentorship can facilitate their career development. It is in this vein that this paper explores the following objectives.