2021-April-20

Empowering Women to Pursue STEM

BY LAURENCE CRUZ

It’s a startling finding: Women are taking a bigger economic hit than men due to COVID-19.

In fact, they’re losing jobs at almost twice the rate of men globally. It’s turning the clock back on gender equality, leaving 47 million more women and girls below the poverty line.

Which is why Cisco’s Networking Academy (NetAcad) team is going all in on this year’s International Girls in ICT Day on Thursday, April 22. The day aims to inspire women of all ages to consider studying or pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

What better way to light that fire than connecting girls and women with female leaders in the field and Cisco employees who already walk the talk?

The goal is to inspire no fewer than 20,000 girls and we’re pulling out all the stops to do it — with special broadcasts (Women Rock-IT), NetAcad courses, and employees connecting with their local communities to run mentoring, code camps, and more.

Read Stacey Faucett’s blog for more details.

Live regional broadcasts

Telepresence robots that bring school to hospitalized children. AI solutions that help fight human trafficking. A smart glove that translates sign language.

What if you could meet the women behind such tech innovations?

Live, interactive regional broadcasts will spotlight eight inspiring women who have used technology to forge their careers and solve global problems like these.

Tune in Thursday to Cisco’s virtual Women Rock-IT broadcast to hear from unique speakers for each region.

Take a complimentary NetAcad course

Anyone can take a free introductory course with Cisco Networking Academy in Cybersecurity, Networking, Programming, or Internet of Things (IoT).

The courses offer an on-ramp to join a growing number of global problem solvers who innovate like technologists, think like entrepreneurs, and act as social change agents.

Courses are available for everyone, at any time.

Cisco employees bring IT to life

Cisco employees have done a ton of work behind the scenes to help expand the impact of Girls in ICT day.

For example, the NetAcad team worked with global Inclusive Communities to connect with local schools that will host mentoring and code camps.

There’s also a Learn-A-Thon, which aims to train 10,000 students with in-demand cybersecurity skills, alongside more than 250 Cisco education partners (through April 22).

Time to inspire

Over the last year, both women and men took on more household chores and cared for children and family members. But most of the work still falls on the shoulders of women and girls.

So there’s never been a more important time to engage and inspire the next generation of female technologists. And that doesn’t mean they have to strictly work in the tech field.

“The opportunities for those with IT training not only reside in the technology field, but also extend across all industries,” says Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Tae Yoo.

In fact, 90 percent of IT skills and jobs in the U.S. exist in non-technology industries, such as professional services, financial services, healthcare, and retail. And these industries are growing faster than technology industries.

“We believe STEM skills carry endless possibilities and want to make sure girls and women are aware of them,” Yoo says.

Check out the International Girls in ICT Day website. It’s not too late to join the broadcasts, share with friends, or use the Social Media Guide to spread the word with your network.