To see more girls in STEM we must boost their confidence, not interest
Anne Sheehan, Enterprise Director, Vodafone UK, explains how to support more girls pursuing an education and a career in STEM subjects
As a woman in technology I feel both a passion and a responsibility to see more women going in to STEM careers.
PWC found at the start of 2017 that, of the employees in STEM roles at the UK's major technology companies, just 15 per cent are female. We need to change this.
When we studied 6,000 18-24 year olds earlier in the year we found that just 11 per cent of girls feel prepared for the digital economy (compared to 19 per cent of boys), and little over a fifth feel confident they'll find a job that matches their skills.
Meanwhile research by the Psychology Science journal found that 48 per centof girls would be expected to take up science, technology, engineering and maths subjects based on their ability alone, suggesting that it could be a confidence gap that we need to address rather than interest or ability.
With multiple programmes in place to give girls and young women the confidence to engage with and pursue STEM subjects and careers, Vodafone is trying to drive change. And through this work and my own experience, I wanted to share how we can support more girls in pursuing an education - and later, a career - in STEM subjects.
Create experiences of STEM subjects
I strongly feel there is an opportunity to clear the mystique around STEM subjects for girls and young women still in education, to give them more opportunities to feel excited about and better able to navigate these topics.
For example, our programme to provide coding training to teenage girls in partnership with Code First provides basic knowledge of computer languages and development programmes, enabling students to develop a website in the very first week.
So far 85 young women have been put through our Code First #Codelikeagirl programme which includes two weeks training and work experience - and it's been amazing seeing the boost it has given to those who have taken part.
The benefit of programmes like this one is that it exposes the participants to new skills, and in applying them to create something tangible, gives them experience they can run with beyond the course itself.
Provide role models
From my experience, having the right role models and mentors can make an incredible difference to the progression of your career.
Earlier this month we launched the third year of our Step into STEM mentor scheme with 40 mentors and mentees. Step into STEM is a 7-month programme that encourages young girls to pursue a STEM career. Run by Girls Talk London, the scheme provides mentoring and work experience for girls studying STEM subjects at sixth form.
The mentors' main aim is to provide help and advice as well as valuable insight from their own careers within STEM. From seeing the passion, confidence and development of these young women, it is clear there is an opportunity to support the female talent pipeline and champion women to ensure they make the most of their abilities and opportunities.
Support throughout their careers
There is a need for businesses not only to think about the diversity of their staff at entry level, but to put in place the structures and initiatives that will help women fulfil their potential longer term within a business.
Vodafone takes this responsibility very seriously and has programmes to support female talent development. We also try to provide the right environment for women to succeed.
For example, our Reconnect Programme is designed to attract talented people who have been on a career break for at least two years (in most cases to raise a family) and would like to return to work on a full-time or flexible basis. Through our recent events in cities like Manchester, we're supporting women looking to return to the workplace in developing the professional connections and refreshing their skills.
Bridging the confidence gap
I feel there is a huge opportunity to boost girl's confidence and to support them in their pursuit of STEM subjects. Whether it's giving them role models to be inspired by, hands-on experience or help balancing a STEM career with other responsibilities, there is so much that businesses can do to develop the next generation of female leaders.
Anne Sheehan is Enterprise Director, Vodafone UK