NextFlex Supports Women in STEM Education
The Need
Women are underrepresented and poorly retained in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) both in university and in industry.¹
The lack of gender equality in STEM impedes innovation and economic development.² We want women to envision themselves pursuing and thriving in STEM careers such as: Researcher, Computer Scientist, Electronics Engineer, Automation Design Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer, Director of Manufacturing, Electronics Technician, Chief Technology Officer, and Principal Scientist (R&D).
BUILDING THE FUTURE
Data from the Pew Research Center tells us that only 28% of computer jobs and 15% of engineering jobs are occupied by women. Additionally, men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM Fields in college.³
Increasing the number of women employed in STEM fields could accelerate U.S. GDP growth by boosting women’s cumulative earnings by $299 billion and adding $5.87 trillion to the global stock market within 10 years.⁴ More importantly, increasing the number of women in STEM results in cultivating a more confident, innovative brain trust of leaders and mentors to inspire our daughters and the thought leaders of the future.
NEXTFLEX SUPPORTS WOMEN IN STEM EDUCATION:
How can we create greater gender equity in the STEM field, grow confidence and help women envision themselves in the STEM workforce? Through an ambitious $5M fundraising goal for NextFlex Learning Programs, we have an opportunity to elevate and springboard underrepresented talent. We are proud to announce our first spotlight: Women in STEM Education (WISE) – Inspiring the creation of more leadership and mentorship programs for women from college to mid-career.
Research shows that girls and women with a mentor are 2.5 times more likely to be confident in their ability to succeed in their schooling and careers, two times as likely to be promoted, and 200% more successful in employee engagement and performance.
NextFlex’s goals include expanding existing efforts to focus programming on women in STEM, leveraging our national workforce expertise to develop in-house solutions to address the gender equity gap for women in STEM, and working with external partners who can enrich and amplify the impact.
WHO WE ARE
NextFlex Learning Programs is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity with a designated mission to further the educational pursuits of the NextFlex Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Innovation Institute. Formed in 2015, the Institute’s mission is to strengthen, diversify, and grow the U.S. advanced manufacturing ecosystem, including its present and future workforce.
JOIN US
Donors to NextFlex Learning Programs are people like you who believe in equality for all. This is an incredible opportunity to support the cultivation of the visionary leaders of the future and empower more women and other underrepresented talent to pursue careers in technology leadership roles.
The leaders of tomorrow begin with the plans we make today, so we must act now. With your support, we will change the face of STEM leaders.
BECOME AN AMBASSADOR
If you are interested in learning more about how you can help women envision themselves pursuing and thriving in STEM careers, please click here to fill out a contact form.
DONATE NOW
Donations to NextFlex Learning Programs are generally tax deductible to the donor, but check with your tax professional for confirmation regarding your specific circumstances.
1 https://theaggie.org/2023/01/25/the-gender-gap-in-stem/
2 https://www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/lack-gender-equality-science-everyone%E2%80%99s-problem
3 www.pewresearch.org/science/2021/04/01/stem-jobs-see-uneven-progress-in-increasing-gender-racial-and-ethnic-diversity
4 www.spglobal.com/en/research-insights/featured/special-editorial/the-key-to-unlocking-u-s-gdp-growth-women
