When it comes to building a future, it’s hard to beat the STEM fields. But women only make up 26% of workers in these industries and getting girls interested in science, technology, engineering and math at a young age can make all the difference.
That’s where Eastern Michigan University’s Digital Divas event comes in. The biannual conference for middle school girls – most recently held in April – is designed to give girls the chance to see what they can become if they pursue these fields.
Attendees had the opportunity to explore future jobs with local companies – including DTE Energy – with demonstrations, speakers and the chance to talk to experts who work in these industries every day.
“This is a great event supporting children getting into STEM, and any way I can help out the next generation, I’m more than willing,” said Brooke Thanasiu, a chemical engineer at DTE’s Monroe Power Plant. “It’s good to show girls at a young age that there are women in these roles and that they can be engineers, too.”
For many, providing these examples is especially meaningful.
“I like talking to the kids and telling them what there is out there and expanding what they know,” said Falon Teeple, a DTE underground splicer apprentice who volunteered at the event. “I like seeing the kids and their interest when you start talking to them more, I like seeing them learn. When I was their age, I didn’t know any of this was out there. I thought you were going to be a teacher, a lawyer or a doctor and there’s so much more out there than that.”
Giving students examples from a local company, too, is a vital part of Digital Divas’ mission to inspire girls.
“Since DTE is Detroit based, students are able to see the connection,” said Nautica Marshall, marketing specialist at EMU’s Gameabove College of Engineering and Technology who worked on April’s Digital Divas event. “They’re able to see ‘it’s possible for me to go and be an electrical engineer, it’s possible for me to study computer engineering.’ It is a necessity for these young girls to get involved.”
It’s these connections that can make all the difference as girls dream of a bright future in STEM.
“I didn’t have anybody to look up to so I just kind of had to dive in headfirst and figure it out for myself,” said Teeple. “It would have been easier, and I would have been able to ask more questions if I had someone to look up to then. I may have taken the long way to get here but I’m glad I’m here now.”