Gwinnett Tech Launches Women in Technology on Campus Program
GTC joins four other area colleges to provide a support network for women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs
Gwinnett Tech is partnering with Atlanta-based Women in Technology to launch Women in Technology on Campus, providing a support system of events, internships and scholarships for students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs of study.
The goal of the WiT on Campus program is to help young women better understand the opportunities open to them in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) once they graduate and to provide a support system to help them navigate through their undergraduate studies.
The program will be piloted at Gwinnett Tech and four other Atlanta area colleges: Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University and Spelman College.
"We're excited to offer this opportunity to our students and to provide them additional support and resources to encourage their studies and their careers. At Gwinnett Tech, with our strong healthcare, life sciences and computer science programs, WiT on Campus will be a great asset," explained Dr. Saeideh Sadri, a faculty member in GTC's Life Sciences division who will serves as the chapter advisor.
At Gwinnett Tech, more than 51 percent of all students are enrolled in Health Science and Computer Science programs. In Health Sciences, 80.7 percent of students are female while 20.3 percent of Computer Science students are female. Over 60 percent of all GTC students are women.
Gwinnett Tech offers more than a dozen healthcare and life sciences programs and five different degree options in computer science disciplines.
A recent report by The U.S. Commerce Department's Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA) confirms that there are fewer women than men in STEM jobs and attaining degrees in STEM fields. While women make up 48 percent of the U.S. workforce, they hold only 24 percent of STEM jobs.
Studies show that during the first two years of college, a vastly higher number of women leave STEM programs than men, even though their grades are equivalent or higher. According to a recent study released by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, some of the reasons cited behind women not choosing to go into STEM fields or dropping out from STEM programs is a lack of female role models, instructional methods that are not geared toward women, and care-giving roles at home.
To sign-up for the program, students may visit http://www.mywit.org/manage-your-career/wit-on-campus/wit-on-campus.
While the program is underway now, the official free kick-off event for participating
women studying at the five colleges and WIT members will be held on the night of September 19 at Georgia Tech. A panel discussion, comprised of top women leaders in executive technology positions who are setting exemplary examples for other women, will share experiences and strategies on how they managed their careers from the classroom to the positions they currently hold.
Gwinnett Tech offers more than 50 degree, diploma and certificate options that can be completed in two years or less. For more information, visit www.GwinnettTech.edu or call 770-962-7580.
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