Learn More about South’s Women in STEM Club
According to a recent U.S. Department of Commerce study, three quarters of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers are held by men. However, statistics are meant to change and a group of South students are working to even the scales by encouraging more women to explore STEM fields.
Established in 2013, the student-created and -led Women in STEM Club (WinSTEM for short) has a mission, under the advisement of Computer Science faculty member Ravi Gandham, to “provide a supportive environment for women interested in STEM” while nurturing students’ interest in these typically male-dominated fields.
The club, whose popularity continues to grow alongside the expanding STEM job market, is led by female students with career plans ranging from chemistry to computer science to architecture, and both males and females are welcome to join.
To encourage others to explore these exciting careers, WinSTEM hosts several events including seminars for students interested in building websites, apps, software and games, study groups for STEM students to help each other with rigorous coursework, financial aid workshops and LinkedIn classes.
Off-campus, the club has attended the prestigious Grace Hopper Conference, named after a pioneering female computer scientist and touted as the "world's largest gathering of women technologists." The 2015 event drew over 12,000 people from around the globe – including six female students from South.
One of those six is Sarah Phillips, WinSTEM president and computer science student, who said the event inspired the club to continue their work at South.
“Seeing so many women there, it makes you want to inspire women here on our campus to have the same passion,” she said.
As the demand for STEM-trained workers continues to increase, students from South, like Sarah, will be ready to find jobs, thrive in their careers, and do their part to even the scales.
Please visit the Student Life Club Center to learn more about Women in STEM and many other great clubs at South!