Thank you for your interest in this program! The purpose of this application is for us to get some information from you, and to get a feel for the applicant pool. Depending on the number of applicants, it may also serve as an interview pre-screen. So please represent yourself well!!
Thanks,
Danielle A. Hinton, Program Director
Brief Synopsis of the Program:
Encouraging the Exploration of Engineering is a joint effort by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Chapter of Eta Kappa Nu, the Microsoft Corporation, and Texas Instruments, Incorporated , and is aimed at increasing the number of women pursuing careers in science and engineering. During the month of January, enthusiastic women from the department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at MIT are selected to go to high schools nationwide to speak with high school girls about the excitement of careers in engineering. The presentations include activities to engage students in thinking about engineering concepts, demonstrations of projects on which the presenters have worked, and information about the fields in engineering and the life of an engineering student. (For more info, see our web site)
The Inaugural Year of the Women's Initiative was a terrific success! Eighteen women visited 42 high schools in ten states across the country. Over 70 presentations were made, and more than 1,800 students were reached, of whom nearly 1,400 were female. In our second year, 25 women made over 150 presentations, reaching more than 4000 students, 60% of whom were female.
This year, the program will select 26 - 30 presenters, and visit 13 - 15 regions of the country. We will also be doing more extensive advertising and publicity, as well as more training in our public speaking skills.
What we're looking for:
Enthusiastic, friendly, inspiring young women, that love what they do, and love talking about it to young people. Excellent presentation skills is a MUST!!
What is required of the Presenters:
Time: 2 hours per week during the Fall Semester
Availability at least one week during January.
Perks:
The joy that comes in knowing that you're helping to counter the effects that have resulted in fewer numbers of women pursing careers in engineering and science. If that's not enough, an all expenses paid trip to some part of the country during the coldest month of the year in Boston could be seen as a benefit....Unless you get to go to the Midwest where its colder :-) Dinner one night a week at our regular training sessions. Plus, you'll get to hang out with an inspiring group of women from your department.
Thanks again for your interest!