A conference this week at Central Michigan University is aimed at diversifying stem fields.
Conference organizers said the goal is to increase the number of women in male dominant STEM fields.
The “Women, Technology and Leadership Conference 2018” is geared towards giving female students from middle school to the college level the confidence they need to succeed in male dominated industries. However, organizers said all students are welcome.
Speaker Melanie Kalmar is the CIO and CDO for the Dow Chemical Company. She said it’s important for young women to follow their dreams and she hopes her stories and experiences can help.
“A lot of times you’re the only female so it’s hard to sometimes inject your ideas and thoughts. So, I think if young girls can be more confident in what they know and confident in speaking out, I think it will serve them well”.
Conference organizers said there are a lot of opportunities in STEM jobs for women because the industry knows the value of diversity and is looking to capitalize on it.