Confidence Gaps in STEM Aren’t About Ability, They’re About Access

A girl presenting in front of her colleagues. Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels.

In STEM and STEAM spaces, confidence is often framed as a personal trait rather than a skill shaped by environment. Many women enter classrooms, labs, and early-career roles fully capable, prepared, and qualified, yet still hesitate to speak up. Not because they lack knowledge, but because they’ve rarely been given space to practice using their voice without judgment.

From an early stage, women are often socialized to prioritize correctness over curiosity. The pressure to “get it right” can make speaking feel risky, especially in environments where mistakes are visible and evaluation feels constant. Over time, this can quietly erode confidence, even among high-achieving students and professionals.

What’s missing isn’t talent, it’s access to supportive learning environments where communication is treated as something you build, not something you’re expected to already have. Confidence grows when people are given tools, structure, and permission to take up space without needing to prove they deserve it first.

This is the foundation behind the Speak in Confidence for Women in STEM/STEAM Bootcamp by ACE & Co, which offers a place to build communication skills intentionally. Details for the upcoming cohort are shared through Eventbrite for those who want to explore that next step here!