Young Leaders
The National Math + Science Young Leaders Program is a collaboration between the National Math and Science Initiative, ExxonMobil and FORTUNE that addresses the pressing issue of women being left behind in the critical fields of math and science. It is a prestigious, competitive program that introduces girls who are college juniors majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields to female executives at FORTUNE 500 companies. The business women will introduce students to the tangible impact of math and science in their companies. This partnership provides role models for college students majoring in innovative fields and heightens the visibility of the need for more girls to specialize in math and science.
Background
The American economy relies on the productivity, entrepreneurship, and creativity of its people. Of the 10 fastest growing occupations, eight are science, math or technology related. Deep concern has been expressed about the ability of the U.S. to sustain its scientific and technological leadership in a world where newly energized foreign competitors are investing in the capacity for innovation - the key driver of economic growth in advanced economies - according to Tapping America's Potential, a coalition of 16 of the nation's leading business organizations.
Women, in particular, are being left behind in the critical fields of math and science. To maintain its scientific and engineering leadership amid increasing economic and educational globalization, the United States must aggressively pursue the innovative capacity of all of its people-women and men. Producing the needed pool of American workers who are prepared for tomorrow's technological challenges requires greater numbers of women in STEM fields. For women to be competitive in all science and engineering fields, they need to see a tangible example of a career path that allows them to reach their full intellectual potential.
- Women constitute 48 percent of the workforce in the United States, but hold just 24 percent of the jobs in the fields of engineering, science and technology. Fewer than 10 percent of American engineers are women.
- According to the National Academies, women who are interested in science and engineering careers are lost at every educational transition. With each step up the academic ladder, from high school on through full professorships, the representation of women in science and engineering drops substantially.
The Program
In order to meet this unique challenge, The National Math + Science Young Leaders Program provides a partnership with FORTUNE and ExxonMobil to highlight leadership examples for young women at a key decision-making point in their academic career - their junior year of college.
Young people today want to make a difference in the world. This new generation has the opportunity to solve many global issues such as healthcare, energy security, and the global food crisis. Technology can, and will, change the world. For this younger generation to be the force for good that they want to be, they need to understand the new literacy of math and science.
Women participating in the FORTUNE Most Powerful Women's Summit work at companies that utilize the talents of science, technology, engineering and math every day. They are also female leaders in their fields, and are therefore in a unique position to impact the lives of young women as role models.
Program Core Elements
The Young Leaders Program takes place from January to June and consists of five core elements:
- Mentor/Student Communication: Mentors communicate regularly with their students via phone, email, and in-person meetings to share career development and leadership advice.
- Webinars: The webinars provide a unique forum for student participants to interact with multiple female executives from a variety of STEM backgrounds. There are four webinars held throughout the program on a variety of topics.
- Company Site Visits: Each executive will host a site visit for the student(s) to meet with professionals who work in their company. These company site visits develop the relationship between the students and executives and highlight different career fields available to STEM majors.
- Capstone Event: The program concludes with a Capstone Seminar in NYC to highlight lessons in leadership, careers in math and science fields, and lessons learned from the program participants. The agenda includes roundtables, tours and discussions with various companies highlighting the importance of math and science careers. Executive participation is optional.
- Paying it Forward: At the conclusion of the program, students are asked to give back to their communities by encouraging young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. Various ways of doing this are presented and the students are asked to commit to at least one.
FAQ
What is the National Math + Science Young Leaders Program?
The National Math + Science Young Leaders Program partners female college students majoring in math and science with business women and offers them an opportunity to learn from key business leaders and to see how their studies apply to exciting opportunities in STEM. The female business leaders will be partnered with a college student near their company headquarters and they will correspond via email. Once a month, an executive will host a Webinar (a web-based seminar) for the Young Leaders. At the end of the spring semester, the executive will host the student group to meet with their corporation’s scientists and engineers. The executives and students will conclude the program by meeting for a capstone seminar in NYC to highlight lessons in leadership, careers in STEM fields, and lessons learned from the program participants.
Which students are eligible?
Students are nominated by the deans at the universities of the executives' choice. Preferred candidates will:
- be female college juniors or seniors majoring in STEM fields
- have a strong academic background
- have previous leadership experience
- be involved in their communities and/or school activities
- have career goals in math or science related fields
How are the business executives chosen for the program?
Role models are recruited through the FORTUNE Most Powerful Women’s Conference and the FORTUNE 500 Forum. If interested in participating, please contact Alia Mohmed, at amohmed@nationalmathandscience.org, or at (214) 665-2551.
What are the costs of the program?
The program is free for students. The cost for the participating corporations is $5,000, which covers student and program expenses.
What is the capstone seminar in NYC?
The seminar is a two-day event developed in partnership with the National Math + Science Initiative, ExxonMobil, FORTUNE, and participating corporations to highlight examples of leadership, careers in math and science fields, challenges facing women, and lessons learned from students participating in the program.
How do I sign up to be a Role Model?
Interested executives should contact Alia Mohmed at amohmed@nationalmathandscience.org.
How do I sign up to be a Young Leader?
Students are recruited by NMSI at universities near the corporations of the participating executives.
NMSI, ExxonMobil, and Fortune would like to thank the 2011 Young Leaders Program mentors:
- Kathy Button Bell, Emerson
- Pam Darwin, ExxonMobil Production Company
- Robyn Denholm, Juniper Networks
- Chaka Elam, Archer Daniels Midland
- Gerri Elliott, Juniper Networks
- Lauren Flaherty, Juniper Networks
- Lili Forouraghi, Blackrock, Inc.
- Linda Hudson, BAE Systems, Inc.
- Kimberly Hurm, Archer Daniels Midland
- Roberta Luxbacher, ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company
- Margaret Mattix, ExxonMobil
- Marissa Mayer, Google
- Christine McCarthy, Walt Disney Company
- Sara Ortwein, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
- Patty Pagel, Archer Daniels Midland
- Kim Perdikou, Juniper Networks
- Susan Roberson, Time Inc.
- Stacy Robinson, Archer Daniels Midland Cocoa
- Anne Taylor, Deloitte LLP
- Brenda Thornton, Archer Daniels Midland
- Carol Williams, The Dow Chemical Company
- Mary Zappone, Alcoa Oil and Gas
Download a summary of our 2011 Young Leaders Program.
For additional questions and information, contact Alia Mohmed at amohmed@nationalmathandscience.org.
