Originally Published by EY.
Ernst & Young LLP (EY) announced a strategic collaboration with Girls Who Code a national non-profit organization that seeks to inspire, educate and prepare girls with computing skills for the 21st century to help close the gender gap by bringing more women into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers.
Girls Who Code’s seven-week Summer Immersion Program teaches thousands of young women rising high school juniors and seniors in 17 cities nationwide everything from mobile app development to robotics to web design. For its inaugural summer, EY will host a variety of workshops and presentations on data, web development, personal finance and machine learning. The firm will also organize a trip to Microsoft campus for demonstrations on mixed reality and a panel on diversity and inclusion and women in engineering.
“Computing skills are the most sought-after in the US job market, with demand continuing to grow, but last year only 26 percent of professional computing occupations were held by women,” said Amy Brachio, Principal, Ernst & Young LLP and the EY Global and Americas Advisory Risk Leader. “Collaborating with Girls Who Code is another stride in EY’s path to develop a gender equal world and advance women in the field of technology.”
The workshops will provide an immersive experience on the concepts currently shaping the technology industry and provide hands-on lessons in text-based coding, LED circuits and machine building.
As part of this year’s program, EY will welcome 20 students to workshops hosted at its wavespace center in Seattle. The firm’s wavespace is part of a global network of growth and innovation centers that help clients tap into creative thinking across EY disciplines, experience and industry sectors.
“Companies are at risk of falling behind the innovation curve if they are not bringing diversity of thought into the computing and tech space,” said Tim Tasker, Seattle Managing Partner, Ernst & Young LLP. “Backed by EY’s purpose to build a better working world, our initiative with Girls Who Code is an excellent investment in future leaders to equip them with the transformative skills of tomorrow.”
For more details on the program, please visit: girlswhocode.com.
