112 PROFESSIONAL WOMANS MULTICULTURAL MAGAZINE WWW.PROFESSIONALWOMANMAG.COM
WOMEN IN STEAM
27 percent of young women said they would consider going to work for companies with positive role mod- els and an inclusive work environment. The substantial contributions to innovation and profits underscore the importance of having more women at the leadership table, and serving as role models and mentors for younger women. We also need to acknowledge that other voices are missing from the conversation. Equity and inclusion, by defi- nition, are for everyone. We have to take very real, necessary steps to include everyone at the table. Access to these conversations in the physical world will, of course, determine who has access to them in the metaverse. Likewise, access to the metaverse will determine who can work with 21st century tools in yet-to-be designed digital worlds. Inequality as status quo isnt sustainable - in soci- ety or business. If we dont address inequalities in the physical world, they will be duplicated and mag- nified in the virtual world. There are many under-utilized yet valuable solu- tions to our worlds challenges that women and other groups provide. One such group is the Girls STEAM Institute, which is simultaneously addressing real- and virtual-world inequity through a business chal- lenge competition for young girls ages 13-18. Using project-based learning, the challenge tasks small teams of girls to develop business solutions addressing a global issue, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Over the course of two days, the girls create a plan for a digital application, assign executive roles, develop a com- pany, create a business plan complete with SWOT analysis, and put together a presentation. At the end of the second day, the teams pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for feedback on the commercial via- bility of their projects. The teams work in digital 2-D and 3-D realms, including VR. Participants report a higher level of self-confidence, and the value of their voice as part of a team - inside and outside of the virtual world. Many of the girls pursue college degrees in STEAM, moving into exciting new careers in emerging fields. At the beginning of a new digital era, these girls are pioneering the way for others to join in the con- versation. Theyre becoming role models for older generations - on the value of access and equity in the metaverse. Our communities are more successful with access, and with all of the brainpower, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking skills working for the greater good. We need the irreplaceable contri- butions of all peoples to bridge the digital divide to ensure a stronger, richer society.
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Learn more here: https://www.wic s.org/join y "Career opportunities in STEM and STEAM have to come from more than interest and aptitude. They also have to come from equal access."
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