Subscribe

The little things we can do to get more girls in STEM

The push to increase the representation of women in technology has come a long way but a repositioning of ideas around education could help improve the situation, according to the managing director of Twitter in Australia, Karen Stocks.

"Let's not hide around the fact that math and technology is integral to everything we do, because it's such a great future for girls."
Karen Stocks, Managing Director of Twitter in Australia

The little things we can do to get more girls in STEM

Speaking to BlueNotes after her appearance at ANZ's W:Drive event, part of the bank's push to support women in technology, Stocks said STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is a great career choice for young women but the choice was not as visible as it could be.

“I think we've still got a long way to go," she said. “STEM's not really sticking out there as much as the more traditional subjects."

“Technology is the bedrock of everything we do. Let's call that out a bit, let's not hide around the fact that math and technology is integral to everything we do, because it's such a great future for girls."

Stocks said young people in tech, particularly women, can help their careers by knowing what their strengths are, using all the tools available to them and to ensure they are always learning.

“From a career perspective, know what you're good at," she said. “Put your hand up, ask the question. If you want a job, if you want to go after something, go and do it, there's nothing stopping you out there."

Watch the video above to find out more.

Sarah Harland is GM Enterprise Services Technology at ANZ.

The views and opinions expressed in this communication are those of the author and may not necessarily state or reflect those of ANZ.

editor's picks

28 May 2015

How do we fix IT's gender problem?

Scott Collary & Maria Garcia de la Banda | Former Chief Information Officer & Deputy Dean Information Technology Faculty, Monash University

The IT industry has a gender diversity problem which starts at the critical education level where enrolments at schools and universities have stagnated. So what can be done about the issue and who needs to act?

04 Jun 2015

Five things mentors teach about leadership

Michelle Rayner | Former Executive Director Strategy, ANZ

Traditional leaders tend to focus our attention on developing only the 'best' people or those with the highest level of potential. This assumes we know how to find talent based on textbook selection criteria and processes. But are we overlooking our future leaders because we are not looking in the right places?

28 May 2015

Women: take more notice of your financial future

Jane Nash | Head of Corporate Sustainability and Financial Inclusion, ANZ

For the first time since the ANZ Survey of Adult Financial Literacy in Australia was launched a decade ago, this year's report included a specific section on women.