Career Explorations: Women-in-STEM

Career Explorations: Women-in-STEM (CE-WIS) is a group of female professionals from across the state of Nevada who formed a committee to promote growth and mentorship for female students in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). We provide opportunities for career exploration in STEM fields by linking students with female professionals in the same arena.

Mission

The mission of CE-WIS is to increase representation and retention of women in STEM fields by facilitating career exploration, supporting shadow and mentor opportunities, and connecting students with professionals to broaden awareness of STEM careers.

Vision

Empower women to learn and succeed in STEM fields by creating a synergy between Nevada’s students, industry leaders, and university professionals through meaningful and impactful experiential opportunities.

History

This group started in 2018 when a STEM professional continued to notice the discrepancies between the number of women applying for jobs at her agency and the number of men. She searched for groups that supported young women in STEM fields of study. Since she could not find a local program, she sought partners to join her in starting one. The Nevada Career Studio, part of the Student Services Division of the University of Nevada, Reno, responded to her call for collaboration. The co-founders formed a committee in 2018, made up of women from on and off campus, who turned this vision a reality.

The CE-WIS program started small with a speed-networking luncheon and a shadowing component, matching students with female STEM professionals We made 25 matches, reaching our goal!

There is always room for improvement, so we set our sights on aiming to make matches with the exact areas of study the STEM students requested. We doubled our capacity, opening the registration to 50 students. We had a wait list of an additional 50 students!

Each member of our team reached out to personal contacts and resources to find the best possible match for each student. We planned a culmination event in conjunction with the 2020 Northern Nevada Science & Technology Festival to showcase the matches.

Unfortunately, shortly after the matches were made, the pandemic hit and campus closed. Undaunted, we went back to work and organized a virtual program to discussion several key topics affecting women-in-STEM.

We invited the students and STEM professionals involved in the CE-WIS program. It was a successful program, including a breakout room sessions that lead to meaningful discussion and sharing.

In our third year, we remain virtual due to the pandemic and have planned Spring Semester Series.

Programs and events

The CE-WIS virtual series is designed to give female students who are interested in STEM a unique opportunity to discuss various topics about STEM careers with female STEM professionals. The virtual series is for female college students (and graduating seniors in secondary school) who want to know more about potential STEM careers, learn valuable insights about being a STEM professional, and create connections that could become mentorship or job shadowing opportunities.

Spring 2021 virtual programs and events

Picture a Scientist Discussion

Wednesday, Janaury 27, 2021

11:15 a.m - 12:30 p.m

Imposter Syndrome

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

11:15 a.m - 12:30 p.m

What I Wish Knew

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

11:15 a.m - 12:30 p.m

Effective Communication and Conflict Resolution

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

11:15 a.m - 12:30 p.m

For more information about these events, go to cewis.carrd.co.