Dell EMC has begun rolling out a new mentorship initiative for third level female students based in Limerick, Cork and Dublin named ‘STEM Aspire’.
This programme is geared at encouraging female students to complete their studies and to consider careers within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) fields.
STEM Aspire will give students direct access to mentors and role models within Dell EMC through events such as rapid fire face to face advice sessions, a book club, site tours, and work experience.
Timmy O’Dwyer, Vice President, Global Parts Operations and Limerick Site Leader for Dell EMC, said: “STEM Aspire gives us an opportunity to reach out to young women in third level and support them as they make the transition to a career in science, technology, engineering and maths. Leaders from our business are serving as role models to these students at a critical stage, sharing insights with them that will be useful throughout their careers.”
Students from Limerick Institute of Technology, University of Limerick, University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, Dublin Institute of Technology and University College Dublin are participating in the programme.
STEM Aspire is one of many initiatives supported by Dell EMC to encourage a greater gender balance among those who pursue careers in technology. Dell EMC and VMware were the co-anchor sponsors of I Wish which took place in Cork and Dublin in February and encouraged more young women to choose subjects that will give them the opportunity to pursue a career in STEM.
This Wednesday Dell EMC’s Limerick Campus will celebrate International Women’s Day with a special event for the business and education community in the Mid-West exploring the challenge of ‘Changing Mindsets’ in the working world. The event will be hosted by Dell EMC in collaboration with University of Limerick and is supported by Johnson & Johnson.
Speakers at this Wednesday’s International Women’s Day Event at Dell EMC will include Joy Neville, Former Ireland Rugby captain, Grand Slam winner and first female to officiate at European rugby match; Professor Paul McCutcheon, VP Academic & Registrar, University of Limerick; Fiona McCarthy, VP Human Resources, Dell EMC; Caroline Spillane, Director General, Engineers Ireland and Jim Breen, VP Engineering, Johnson & Johnson.
As the event takes place during Engineers Week, there will be a special focus on encouraging more females into science, technology, engineering and maths.