Female student majoring in science and technology: The more I study, the more interesting I find it

Traditional concepts have changed.

According to some traditional concepts, in the field of science and technology, male workers are often more suitable because these positions require direct work at the site with high intensity, many skills that require good health. Or the concept that technical jobs are often dry and not suitable for women.

However, in today's era, that concept is changing a lot, because there are many technical fields suitable for women, contributing to creating high-quality female human resources for the country.

Admissions and career counseling day at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education. Photo: HCMUTE

According to a report from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, the school is often considered by parents and students to be suitable for men: In recent years, the number of female students has increased continuously year by year. If in 2014, the proportion of female students at the school was only 18%, now the proportion of female students at the school is 26% (an increase of 8%). Majors that attract high numbers of female students include: Garment Technology (95%), Interior Architecture (73%), Food Technology (63%), and Biomedical Engineering (52%); Fashion Design (83%), Graphic Design (81%)...

Thanks to the school's policies, some traditional engineering majors that used to have no female students have now increased significantly, such as Industrial Engineering (up 12% compared to 2014), Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology (up 2.12%), Thermal Engineering Technology (up 1.73%) or Mechanical Engineering Technology (up 1.5%, from having no female students studying this major, to now having 21 female students studying mechanical engineering).

Associate Professor, Dr. Vo Thi Nga, Deputy Head of Training Department in charge of postgraduate training at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, pointed out that: In the field of science and technology, some job positions in operation, assembly, maintenance, etc. are often dominated by male workers. However, there are many job areas such as technical consulting, customer guidance, technical services and business in the technology field that are suitable for female workers but lack of personnel. In addition, the field of science and technology does not stop at operation but also includes research, design, and product development, which are very suitable for female students with a progressive spirit and a desire to learn.

"With the advantages of appearance, gentle communication skills, meticulousness, perseverance, creativity and persuasion, female students have many opportunities to take on jobs in the field of science and technology, helping businesses reach customers more effectively, balancing the workforce to maximize potential and productivity. With work in the laboratory, researching new technologies or technical design requires carefulness, creativity, patience and analytical thinking - factors that many female engineers can develop well", Ms. Nga affirmed.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Cuc, Director of Corporate Clients - 24H Job Joint Stock Company, said: "In the field of Science and Technology, about 30% of jobs are suitable for women. Even in my generation of friends, there are many women who have succeeded in this field. Recruitment needs in science and technology always have many opportunities for women".

Choose a major based on your interests

Changing stereotypes about the choice of majors and career orientation of girls and young women is also one of the important factors to promote gender equality. This not only helps female students have the opportunity to participate in the labor market but also ensures their worthy rights, helping female students confidently pursue their favorite careers.

Student Tran Thi Ut Thua (right) is determined to pursue a career in construction.

Tran Thi Ut Thua, a student of the Faculty of Construction, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, is one of the typical examples of the spirit of changing prejudices to pursue passion in the field of engineering. She boldly enrolled in the construction industry and has constantly strived to affirm her passion. With perseverance and determination, Ut Thua promises to become a promising female construction engineer.

Since his school days, Ut Thua has been actively researching and applying knowledge to practice. A typical example is the project "Evaluating the payback period of BOT road stations", which helped him win the Encouragement Prize at the Science and Technology Award for students of higher education institutions organized by the Ministry of Education and Training in 2024.

This project focuses on assessing the relationship between payback period and traffic volume, discount rate and BOT station operating costs. The results help businesses predict the level of financial risk (including interest rate, operation, maintenance and traffic volume risks) and support more effective capital budgeting. The study was conducted on the Hai Van Tunnel and Bac Hai Van Toll Station Construction Investment Project.

Ut Thua shared: "Previously, my family had planned to study economics. However, after learning about my interests, I realized that I had a passion for construction. When I saw high-rise buildings being built, I always wanted to learn more about this process. Therefore, I decided to pursue construction. This industry is quite difficult for female students, especially the technical projects are drier than the cultural and social industries. However, during the internship, I felt that the more I studied, the more interesting it became and I loved this job more."

Not only in the construction field, many female students also show creativity in scientific research. Tran Thai Van Ha, a student majoring in Chemical and Food Industry, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technical Education, and her group of friends successfully developed the product "Nutritious Sprouted Snack from Sprouted Rice and Sprouted Green Beans", winning Second Prize at the 2024 Post-Harvest Processing Technology Competition.

The snack product from sprouted mung beans helps increase the content of GABA and argin, supporting the health of all ages, especially young children. With a price much cheaper than other weaning products on the market, the product has the potential to become a suitable nutritional choice for children.

Student Van Ha in the school laboratory.

Van Ha said: "I am passionate about researching chemistry as well as the techniques of creating new products and materials, so I chose to study this major. I think that regardless of gender, as long as it is a major you love, you can do it. At school, teachers are always enthusiastic in guiding and creating conditions for us to create new products. I like creative internships. We find new ingredients to create products such as candy to bring new products, new foods that are good for health."