The numbers don’t lie: We need more people in STEM. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8 percent growth in STEM jobs between 2019 and 2029 — twice the rate of other occupations. The demand for STEM talent is skyrocketing across industries, from artificial intelligence to biotech to renewable energy. Companies are searching for skilled professionals who can build the next wave of technological advancements. These aren’t just any jobs; they’re the ones shaping the future, fueling innovation and powering the economy.
But millions of these jobs are going unfilled. For decades, half the population — women — has been an untapped force in STEM. This isn’t just about fairness. It’s about meeting demand, driving economic growth and ensuring the best minds are solving the world’s biggest challenges.
Beyond numbers, leaving women out of STEM creates even bigger problems. It’s a missed opportunity for stronger problem-solving, fresh perspectives and a more competitive workforce. The lack of women in STEM limits the range of ideas, reduces creativity and weakens industries that rely on innovation. When more women join the field, companies see higher innovation rates, stronger team performance and better financial outcomes. Studies have shown that companies with a broad range of perspectives outperform their competitors, with some reporting up to a 35 percent boost in return on investment. In an era where technology is driving every industry forward, we need to ensure that STEM careers are accessible to everyone.
Despite this, STEM has long been seen as a male-dominated field with fewer women pursuing STEM degrees, entering the STEM workforce or rising into leadership positions in STEM industries. We all need this tide to turn, and after decades of fighting this current, we’re starting to see progress in an unlikely place: high school girls.
Women Tech Council created SheTech to address this challenge directly. SheTech gives high school girls hands-on STEM experiences, connects them with mentors and role models, and provides a direct view and path into STEM careers. It’s working.
- 3500 girls each year are activated in STEM
- 400+ SheTech students graduate college in STEM and enter the workforce each year
- Previous SheTech students earn $32 million annually in the state of Utah
This isn’t just data; this is real change.
Every year, thousands of young women are inspired to pursue careers in STEM, bringing fresh perspectives and talent to industries that desperately need them.
As we’ve worked to change the tide for young women entering STEM fields, we’ve discovered some of the biggest barriers they face. The most common one, which has come up consistently over the last 10+ years, is that many young women never even consider STEM careers simply because they don’t know any women in these roles. Representation matters.
When girls see successful women in tech, engineering and science, they see themselves in those roles, reshaping their perception of what’s possible. It’s life-changing to give girls at a young age role models who inspire them and help them visualize a place for themselves in STEM careers, as well as mentors who can provide advice, help navigate challenges and create a sense of belonging in industries where women are still underrepresented.
Programs like SheTech are successful because they connect girls with real women in STEM — women who have built careers in tech, engineering and science and can show them firsthand what’s possible. These relationships break down barriers, build confidence and open doors to life-changing opportunities.
This change affects individuals, the companies they work for and much more. When SheTech graduates enter the workforce, they don’t just earn higher salaries — they fuel local economies, drive technological advancements and support future generations of STEM leaders.
Every girl inspired to pursue STEM represents an opportunity for businesses, industries and society as a whole to thrive. The more we invest in their success, the stronger our innovation pipeline becomes. We must invest in programs like SheTech that are breaking down barriers and creating direct pathways for young women to enter STEM.
Join us in supporting high school girls at a critical point in their lives by helping girls you know sign up for the SheTech internship program taking place June 9-20 and getting your company involved. Your efforts will help us create ripples in companies, industries, communities and the future.