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To promote the incorporation of more women in STEM careers, Fundación Luksic in conjunction with Fundación Volando en V held a meeting at Inacap Antofagasta for high school students in the region, which included reflection activities and key tools to follow a path in this area.
In the Antofagasta Region only 22.57% of the students enrolled in STEM careers are women, but it has been shown that more and more young people are choosing this type of careers, both because of the high labor demand and the opportunities for professional growth. More than 300 students from 19 schools in Antofagasta and Mejillones participated in this meeting organized by the Luksic Foundation and the Flying in V Foundation.
“Today we have a huge gap in female participation in STEM careers, so it seems essential to us to work constantly to encourage more women to work in this area and improve their life trajectories. This type of meeting gives us great satisfaction when we see so many young women interested in careers related to science, technology, engineering and mathematics because it boosts innovation and in a few years will have the greatest employability”, says Fernanda Orellana, Director of Education at the Luksic Foundation.
During the event they were able to connect with young people from different schools in the region, and in different teams they carried out activities that sought to generate instances of reflection and empowerment. In that sense, according to their realities and perceptions, they were able to identify some barriers that exist regarding women in STEM careers and then analyze their scope with key tools to overcome them. In addition, the day included the participation of Katherine Vergara, also known as STEMtivist, expert in STEM education management and with a series of national and international recognitions in the area, who pointed out that “the only thing we need is passion and to believe that we can do it. We have the power, the important thing is to define our dreams and be able to follow them”.
“The most important thing is that more women believe they can do it, that they know they have those options. Sometimes the alternatives are very limited and many times that’s why they don’t dare, but if they know they have that possibility they can choose to take it. The fact that women are in this field (STEM) is very important to have more visions and to have a Chile that prospers more”, said Valentina, a 2nd year student at the Lecya School of Accounting and Administrative Studies.
Andrea Henríquez, executive director of Fundación Volando en V reflects that: “To break down barriers and go beyond, individual reflection is not enough; we have to unite as women. That is why an event like this is especially relevant, especially in the Antofagasta Region, because when we come together as women and put into practice the potential we have, that is when we are inspired and go out to change the world”.
The high employability in STEM sectors, the need to innovate to solve complete problems and the perception that these skills are key for the professional future are part of the reasons why more and more young women are choosing this path. “We fully trust that the talent of female students is there and that is why these types of events, where we promote confidence in them, are very enriching for women who want to embark on STEM careers,” says the Luksic Foundation’s Director of Education.
