The number of teenage girls who believe they’re capable of getting their dream job has dropped significantly over the past seven years, according to a new report from nonprofit Ruling Our eXperiences.
While 58 percent of high school girls said they do not think they are smart enough for their dream job this year, only 46 percent said the same in 2017.
But this number was particularly high among the youngest surveyed— fifth and sixth graders, with 52 percent not believing they are smart enough for their dream job, nearly double the 23 percent who said the same in 2017.
This trend mirrors a growing confidence gap in girls interested in pursuing STEM careers. While the interest in STEM jobs is growing among girls, the confidence levels in their own STEM abilities are getting lower and lower.
