Absolutely not! While the primary goal of the WISE Initiative is to create a supportive community of women employed in STEAM fields and encourage girls who aspire to follow a STEAM career path, all genders can benefit from hearing the stories and experiences shared in the WISE Forum.  

It’s not only women and girls who need to be informed of the challenges unique to their gender in STEAM careers. Because all genders have a role in creating barriers to an equitable workforce, everyone must learn and improve together to create meaningful change.   

Other communities are also underrepresented in STEAM fields.  While this event is specific to women’s experiences, many discussions and strategies for enacting change also apply to similar challenges faced by other groups, such as people of color and the LGBTQ+ community. 

Many WISE participants also share how other aspects of their identity, in addition to their gender, shape their experiences in the workplace and school. 

Listening to the personal experiences of panelists, mentors, and students will give you additional perspective on the challenges women and girls encounter. Some stories may be surprising or unexpected and may help you reflect on your personal contribution to an equitable workplace and learning environment. Hearing about these experiences can help you to enact change and become an even better ally and advocate for women in STEAM careers.