Although careers in technology, engineering and science are seen as being traditionally male occupations, a few women have made successful careers, discoveries and inventions in these fields. Many women have reported that they face prejudice when working in a predominately male environment but experiences seem to vary according to the speaker and their own working situation. Women in science have had a long background. One of the most notable scientists was Marie Curie – the discoverer of radium and the use of radiation for the treatment of cancer. She was the first person to win two Nobel prizes in chemistry and physics. She is an exception rather than a rule but in general, science careers for women do not seem to have the same problems as careers in engineering or technology. This could simply be because we are accustomed to seeing women as scientists. The British ex Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had a successful career in science as a chemist before entering politics (some people felt that she should have stayed there!). Engineering and technology seem to be more underrepresented by women than careers in science. One woman engineer Dr Maire O'Neill attributes this to girls simply not knowing what the subjects are and not understanding that they could do them themselves. Dr O'Neill has been a powerful speaker on the need for there to be more women role models in order to encourage young women wishing to go into engineering and technology. Today much is being done to encourage young people, especially girls to take up careers in science, engineering and technology. There is a long way to go but once women are commonplace in working in these areas so it will become a more acceptable for others to follow.
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