The field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a broad field covering many disciplines that are vital to the world we live in. It’s a field where bright minds can come together to create new technologies, make new discoveries, and create solutions as a collective. One vital aspect of collective problem-solving and creation is involving people with a wide variety of lived experiences and identities in the process. While the number of women in STEM has increased over the years, women still account for only 35% of the STEM workforce as of 2021 according to the National Science Foundation . Women face multiple barriers to entry in the STEM field, especially women of color, but there are many groups out there working to change this and remove those barriers.
Professional organizations are an excellent resource for professionals and students looking to enter a wide variety of fields. They can provide members with networking opportunities, job boards, professional development opportunities and resources, a sense of community, and more. Below are some excellent professional organizations dedicated to advancing the visibility and number of women working in STEM.
Women in Cleantech & Sustainability
Women in Cleantech & Sustainability is a professional organization dedicated to creating a sisterhood for women working in the “green economy,” (women who are working to create a more sustainable future for our planet through technology and science). Women in Cleantech & Sustainability offers a wide variety of benefits to members including regular professional development Webinars, an annual Pitch Competition, a mentorship program, a job board, a scholarship fund, and more!
Association for Women in Science (AWIS)
The Association for Women in Science (AWIS) is a professional organization that promotes the interests of women in STEM fields, bringing women from across the country together to form a network of support. Their advocacy efforts include trainings surrounding topics such as Title IX, caregiving, anti-racism, anti-harassment, and many more. Their benefits include a job board, resources such as their publications, connecting organizations seeking presentations with speakers from AWIS, career development Webinars, an online discussion board for members to network and connect with each other, and much more!
Black Women Talk Tech is a collective of Black women tech professionals, founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators founded to pave the way to success for Black women in the tech industry. Their programs and services include their annual Roadmap to Billions conference, the annual Unicorn Ambition conference in collaboration with Black Men Talk Tech, virtual training courses, investor matchmaking, pitch competitions, access to free trials for business tools, a job board and on-demand Webinars.
Women in Technology (WIT) is a professional organization dedicated to promoting womens’ leadership, womens’ entrepreneurship, and womens’ growth in the tech industry. Their programs and services include their Mentor-Protege program, their Accelerate(her) career development Webinar series, their Leadership Foundry program that equips women with the professional skills and competencies needed to serve on corporate boards, annual job fairs, networking events, and more!
These groups and many more are here to aid women and all individuals in the STEM field. It is important to cultivate an environment where diverse minds can come together to create a better future. Make sure to check out the professional organizations listed above as well as visit career.uconn.edu to view even more resources!
