Case Western Reserve University has joined institutions such as Cornell University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University and Stanford University in leading a program to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. The program, titled WitsOn (Women in Technology Sharing Online), is a six-week online program that connects undergraduate students pursuing STEM degrees with female mentors from industry and academia.
As part of Case Western Reserve’s involvement, all undergraduate women students studying STEM fields have been invited to enroll in the optional, free program. Men in STEM fields also are welcome to take part.
Each week, the program will feature a nationally known lead mentor who will answer questions from participating students; individuals such as Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, and Julie Larson-Green, vice president at Microsoft, have signed on as lead mentors. In addition, several dozen support mentors (female faculty, graduate students and technical professionals) also will answer your candid questions directly.
Students will be able to pose questions, “vote up” questions they want to see answered, listen to and read answers and participate in discussions. The program will serve as a mentorship as well as a networking opportunity, potentially opening up job prospects for students.
If you have not received an invitation to participate but are interested in taking part, visit piazza.com/witson. For more information, visit piazza.com/witson or read a recent article in The New York Times.