CLOSING THE IMAGINATION GAP FOR GIRLS

Math Opens Doors and Levels the Playing Field

Six Insights From Career Girls Role Models

Series Note: Career Girls founder Linda Calhoun shares insights distilled from her in-depth interviews of over 700 women role models — each article devoted to exploring the skills and attitudes that advance girls’ intellectual, social and emotional learning for success in both life and career. First up: Math.

Give Math the Attention It Deserves

The math that girls learn during their school years isn’t just busy work. And the math they don’t learn will narrow their future choices. Like most of us, I want to broaden their choices.

Let’s face it: Math is everywhere, and acquiring math skills will help girls succeed in their future careers and in life.

Think about it… Most careers require math in one form or another. Logically, it’s important for girls to understand how useful and meaningful math can be in creating the life of their choosing and achieving their dreams.

Sparking Conversations About Math

So, how can you help a young person understand the importance of math?

Talk on a regular basis to the girls that you champion about their concerns and ideas related to math.

One good starting point is the Career Girls’ Importance of Math video. It’s a short compilation of role models providing useful facts, tips, advice and ideas that you can share with the girls in your life.

Use these role model insights to open up the conversations. Keep encouraging girls’ confidence, curiosity and determination to develop solid math skills.

Many of the insights from that video are foundational to the six points below.

One: The Difference is Math

No matter your career choice, understanding math will give you an undeniable advantage. Math skills will be needed throughout your life — as a chef or oceanographer or human resources specialist or wherever your passion takes you.