A new study from IBM, in collaboration with the Boston College Center for Work & Family, outlines how Big Blue brings women in STEM together for development opportunities and provides resources to advance their careers.
According to the study, "Empowering Women’s Success in Technology, IBM’s Commitment to Inclusion," outlines how opportunities for women in STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics –are driven by inclusion across career environments, empowerment to think freely, and the ability for women to bring their "whole selves" to work.
The study offers examples of how IBM is growing and supporting an inclusive work environment to create a culture where women in technology can thrive and succeed.
"IBM has relentlessly focused on building and fostering an inclusive career environment," IBM Chief Diversity Officer Lindsay-Rae McIntyre said in a statement. "We remain committed to creating a supportive career environment that offers IBMers the resources to progress in their careers and fulfill the company's purpose."
The study outlines three approaches the technology giant has taken to help women advance in their careers:
1. Identify talent early
Through IBM’s Executive Potential & Extraordinary Leadership Identification program, managers identify IBMers who display extraordinary leadership and initiate a development journey with them.
2. Focus on technical women
IBM's Technical Women's Pipeline program aligns women with an executive coach and sponsor, offers face-to-face workshops and learning labs, and creates a development roadmap to track progress and readiness for the next milestone in their career path.
3. Lift up women around the world
The company’s Elevate program develops leadership skills through education, experience and exposure.
Today, IBM is partnering with Girls Who Code to close the gender gap in technology, recruiting girls in grades 6-12 for after-school clubs and summer programs to learn coding and learn about career opportunities in technology. IBM's Tech Re-Entry program, together with the Society of Women Engineers and iRelaunch, are making it easier for women who have been out of the workforce to rejoin the tech industry, McIntyre said.
Twitter: @Bernie_HITN
Email the writer: bernie.monegain@himssmedia.com
