Provide role models

Completed

Girls and young women have a hard time picturing themselves in STEM roles. They need more exposure to STEM jobs, near-peer female role models, and career awareness and planning.

Infographic showing 64% of girls and 56% of young women don't know a woman in a STEM profession.

Link to text version of infographic 

In middle school, for example, 31% of girls believe that jobs requiring coding and programming are “not for them.” In high school, that jumps up to 40%. By the time they’re in college, 58% of girls count themselves out of these jobs.

Girls—and all learners—need to meet STEM practitioners who are female. Encourage STEM practitioners to share their enthusiasm for STEM and computer science and help connect the subject to real-world application. Choosing role models who use their technology background to solve problems for people and the world and who speak to STEM and CS being creative and collaborative is a bonus!

Pause and ponder

Do you know of local computer programmers, software engineers, or product developers who are female? Does your community have a local Women in Technology group? Spend an hour online looking for local groups to invite to your class. If local groups aren’t available, think about using Microsoft Teams video calls to virtually connect your female learners with organizations outside your community. Invite them to talk to your learners about their career journey or their current work.