Introduction
On August 7th, 2024, Women in Tech Panama took a significant step towards empowering women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) with the launch of their innovative WeGrow Program. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support to female students and recent graduates in STEAM, offering a blend of training, mentorship, and job placement opportunities.
Program Structure and Objectives
The WeGrow Program has been meticulously designed to address the challenges faced by women in STEAM fields. In its inaugural year, the program enrolled 200 STEAM students, focusing primarily on recent graduates struggling to find employment in their field and university students at risk of dropping out. The program’s structure is built around four key training modules:
- Cybersecurity: Equipping participants with best practices for managing cyber risks and threats.
- Emotional Intelligence: Developing skills for effective emotional recognition, management, and expression.
- Personal Branding: Teaching participants to communicate their skills and values professionally and authentically.
- Copa Airlines Hackathon – Linux: Challenging creativity and problem-solving skills in a tech-focused environment.
Mentorship and Job Placement
Beyond technical training, WeGrow offers invaluable mentorship opportunities. Participants will engage in in-person activities with professional women who are experts and leaders in STEAM fields. Additionally, they will have access to international mentorship through the Women in Tech Global platform.
The program also addresses the critical issue of job placement. Participants will have access to WIT-h, a portal offering national and international job opportunities. Furthermore, Women in Tech Panama is forging partnerships with local companies to provide internship opportunities to students.
Impact and Future Prospects
The launch event of WeGrow was marked by enthusiasm and a palpable thirst for knowledge among participants. Wanda Pinzón, Director of Women in Tech Panama, shared the organization’s vision to empower five million women and girls by 2030 through technology. This ambitious goal underscores the potential impact of initiatives like WeGrow in shaping the future of women in STEAM.
Industry Support and Collaboration
The success of WeGrow is bolstered by strong industry support. Facundo Renzini from Fiserv, one of the program’s sponsors, emphasized their commitment to fostering gender diversity in STEAM. Other sponsors include the Faculty of Computer Systems Engineering of the Technological University of Panama, Yappy from Banco General, GBM Panama, Nivea, and Viviana Cifuentes from Ericsson.
Conclusion
The launch of the WeGrow Program represents a significant milestone in the journey towards gender equality in STEAM fields. By providing comprehensive support to women at crucial stages of their academic and professional development, Women in Tech Panama is not just opening doors but building bridges to a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.
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