Despite accounting for around half of the employed U.S. workforce, women today make up only about one third (34%) of the workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Entry-level recruiters and their companies can play a pivotal role in inviting more promising female talent into STEM and providing opportunities for advancement and success throughout their careers. One way to do so is to partner with professional organizations aimed at supporting women in these high-demand fields. By connecting with these organizations, companies today can gain access to a diverse and untapped candidate pool, attend recruitment events and job fairs, and sponsor events to demonstrate their commitment to D&I.
To help your business succeed in the recruitment and retention of more women in STEM, we've rounded up 11 professional organizations you may want to partner with:
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
With over 500,000 individual members, Girls Who Code has become one of the largest and most influential organizations dedicated to getting more girls interested in STEM careers. Girls Who Code runs a variety of immersive programs for students of all ages and early professionals, which introduces them to computer science, robotics, artificial intelligence, and other core topics in technology. Learn more about Girls Who Code here.
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
Established in 1950, SWE is a significant advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. The group has a network of members across the globe who are dedicated to inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers and giving them the confidence to become leaders in their fields through events, competitions, educational programs, and more. Learn more about the Society of Women Engineers here.
Type: Professional, collegiate
AWIS is one of the world's largest organizations for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This group is dedicated to advancing the careers of professional women with educational programs and resources that provide access to a global network of peers and mentors. AWIS also works to ensure equitable workplace policies and practices through advocacy campaigns. Learn more about the Association for Women in Science here.
Type: pre-collegiate
Supporting over 20 million women for over 20 years, the National Girls Collaborative Project is a network of over 42,000 organizations and institutions that work together to encourage more girls and women to pursue STEM careers. Its mission is to unite organizations across the U.S. to empower young women with resources, networks, and tools needed for successful careers in STEM fields. Learn more about the National Girls Collaborative Project here.
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing is the largest gathering of women technologists worldwide, offering a platform for attendees to network and grow their skillset. Hosted by AnitaB.org, this event features inspiring keynotes and panels from industry leaders, as well as interactive workshops and sessions that give attendees access to cutting-edge research and practical tips for success. Plus, the conference includes plenty of opportunities to meet 1-on-1 with talent — if you plan ahead. Learn more about Grace Hopper Celebration here.
Type: collegiate
The Scientista Foundation's mission is to support and inspire the next generation of women in STEMM fields, which it defines as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine. Founded out of Harvard by two sisters who were studying biology and were unhappy with the lack of resources for women on campus, the foundation is now the largest organization of campus women in STEMM. Its mission is to promote and support women in STEMM through content, communities, and conferences. Learn more about the Scientista Foundation here.
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
Million Women Mentors is active in more than 40 states, working to elevate the role of women and girls in STEM. Through national networks and social media, and local events and activities, Million Women Mentors work to match mentors with mentees. The group empowers young women with the skills and confidence needed for successful STEM careers. Learn more about Million Women Mentors here.
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
Founded in 2007 by Adriana Gascoigne, Girls in Tech is a nonprofit dedicated to eliminating the gender gap in tech. With over 60,000 members across 50+ chapters worldwide, Girls in Tech provides a global platform for women to connect, learn, and grow their careers in tech. Learn more about Girls in Tech here.
Type: Professional, collegiate
WEPAN has been a leading nonprofit of change for women since 1990. Its critical mission is to inspire employers to fully embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion to meet the demands of today's innovation and performance-driven business culture. It provides resources for women engineers, facilitates research-based change strategies, and measures the impact of diversity efforts on college campuses. Learn more about WEPAN here.
Type: Professional, collegiate
Women Who Code is a global nonprofit dedicated to inspiring women to excel in technology careers. The group offers free tech workshops, events, and networking opportunities, and provides access to resources and guidance for members in over 134 countries worldwide. Learn more about Women Who Code here.
Type: Professional, collegiate, pre-collegiate
The Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) is an organization devoted to encouraging women and girls in the field of mathematics. Founded in 1971, this group is one of the oldest organizations dedicated to promoting gender equity in STEM fields. The AWM works to create a community in which women and girls can thrive in their mathematical endeavors and to promote equitable opportunity and treatment of women. Learn more about AWM here.
By partnering with these purpose-driven organizations, your team can make a difference in eliminating the gender gap and maximizing your company's potential for success by connecting with untapped talent. To reach a diverse pool of talent, you will also want to consider what technology you can leverage to reach students from different backgrounds, such as RippleMatch. In fact, learn exactly how RippleMatch can help you close the gender gap for women in STEM here. Armed with these organizations and the tools to recruit from a wider range of schools, you can help your team meet its D&I goals and expose more promising talent to your opportunities.