why not reach for the stars?. why does diversity matter? “engineering is a profoundly creative...
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Why a Mentor Program for Women? 46.7% of the U.S. workforce is female 11% of the engineering workforce is femaleTRANSCRIPT
Why not reach for the stars?
Why does diversity matter?
“Engineering is a profoundly creative profession and without the diversity of life experiences for those who practice engineering, our society loses an opportunity cost in products not built, designs not considered, constraints not understood, and in processes not invented.”
William Wulf, former President of the National Academy of Engineering & Board member of the Anita Borg Institute
Why a Mentor Program for Women?
46.7% of the U.S. workforce is female
11% of the engineering workforce is female
www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/
Female Enrollments in EngineeringDegree 2010 RPI 2010 NationalBachelors 24% 18.6%Masters 15% 21.8%Doctoral 20% 22.8%
Rensselaer Registrar’s Official Fifth Week StatisticsASEE’s 2010 Engineering by the Numbers
RPI Engineering this fall:
•28% first year undergrads are female•25% undergraduates are female•25% first year graduate students are female•20% graduate students are female
Community= Persistence
2002 Goodman Study indicated community helped women in STEM fields to persist in completion of academic degrees
Community provides…
Critical mass NetworksSupport systems InformationFriendship
What is mentoring?
A power-free, two-way mutually beneficial learning situation in which the mentor provides advice, shares knowledge and experiences, and teaches using a low pressure, self-discovery approach.
Starcevich, Matt, 1999, “Coach, Mentor: Is There a Difference?” www.coachingandmentoring.com
Invite participation…
Mentors• 2.5 or greater GPA • Commitment• Receive training • Guidelines/packet• Initiate contact w/ mentee• Communicate/engage• Network• Coach• Partnership• Self-reflection
Mentees• Recognize benefits• Choose match category• Match letter + guidelines• Goal setting• Responsive• Commitment• Engage• Network• Partnership• Pay it forward
Set Goals…then Go for It!• First year goals• Strategies • Brainstorm• Try it out• Reflect• Be authentic• Communicate successes and failures• Be a good listener• Ask for advice• Cast a wider net • Support others
Network…attend socials and conferences!
Stay engaged!
• Use social networks to stay connected
• Join professional societies
Develop a Mentor Network!
Rachel Gitajn ‘05
Tracy Mack-Askew ‘98
Questions?