COUNT US IN
WOMEN ARE REPROGRAMMING THE STEM FIELD
Women are their very own mitochondrias (powerhouses), especially when it comes to bridging gaps in male-dominated fields. BY MONICA GODINEZ ILLUSTRATIONS BY JESSICA WETTERER
722
531,200
TechWomen is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Since their inception in 2011, TechWomen has had 722 women from 22 different countries participate in their mentorship and exchange STEM program.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 11% job growth from 2019 to 2029 in computer and information technology occupations. It is predicted that these occupations will add 531,200 new jobs to the U.S. workforce.
26% Commercial Cafe reported that women make up about 26% of STEM jobs in Austin. The Austin STEM sector includes 73,000 jobs.
1000+ Girlstart is an Austin-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to “increase girls’ interest and engagement in STEM through innovative, nationally recognized informal STEM education programs.” Amidst the pandemic in 2020, Girlstart was still able to serve 1000+ young girls for their STEM summer camps. These camps are weeklong STEM programs that engage in “relevant STEM curriculum.”
20 | AUSTIN WOMAN | AUGUST 2021
25% According to the National Center for Women & Information Technology, in 2020 women held 25% of professional computing jobs in the U.S. workforce.
