ExxonMobil encourage girls to pursue careers in engineering

More than 450 ExxonMobil employees will host over 2500 middle school students at 16 locations to increase interest in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) fields as part of the Girl Day initiative by DiscoverE, formerly known as the National Engineers Week Foundation.

According to the 2013 Economic and Statistics Administration Report, women comprise half of the US workforce, but hold fewer than 25% of STEM jobs and only 14% of engineering positions. Attracting girls to math and science, and ultimately STEM careers, is critical to ensuring the growing technology needs of the US can be met.

‘In order to increase interest in STEM careers, especially among girls, it is vital that we provide opportunities for interaction with successful STEM professionals’, said Suzanne McCarron, president of the ExxonMobil foundation.

‘Through ‘Introduce a Girl to Engineering’ activities, ExxonMobil hopes to engage girls early in their education in order to dispel common misconceptions that prevent women from pursuing fulfilling careers in maths and science’.

Since ExxonMobil began hosting ‘Introduce a Girl to Engineering’ events more than a decade ago, nearly 10 000 students have participated in activities conducted at company facilities or through classroom demonstrations.

Adapted from a press release by Emma McAleavey.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/21022014/exxonmobil_stem_182/