CHICAGO, Aug. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 9,000 women engineers from all over the world will gather at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Oct. 27-29 to learn, inspire and empower the annual WE16 conference. Hosted by The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), WE16 is the world's largest conference and career fair for women in engineering.
The gender gap in STEM fields remains wide across all specialties, and more females than males leave the engineering profession as their career grows. In fact, 30 percent of women leaving STEM fields cite workplace climate as the reason.i Corporate culture, perception and other conscious and unconscious biases are preventing the gender gap from closing and discouraging women from pursuing a future in STEM. SWE and WE16 are symbols of constant support to women engineers when everything else in life is a variable.
"SWE serves as a necessary outlet, resource and network for women engineers. For over 65 years, SWE has provided its members with opportunities and experiences for professional and personal development," said Jessica Rannow, president of SWE. "WE16 is a one-of-a-kind experience for our members and women in all stages of their careers to come together and inspire one another along their professional journey as a woman engineer."
WE16 will feature more than 300 educational sessions and 300 career fair exhibitors. At the conference, collegiates and professionals will have the chance to make connections and interview at the career fair with organizations seeking qualified and motivated engineers. In addition, collegiate attendees will have the opportunity to explore graduate school opportunities with leading universities.
Young girls, parents and educators are also invited to attend WE16 on Saturday, Oct. 29, for the event's annual program, Invent it. Build it. The program is aimed to encourage girls in grades 6-12 to pursue a career in engineering and technology by providing them with a unique, hands-on engineering experience.
For more information about WE16 and to register, visit we16.swe.org. For media inquiries and to request a complimentary media registration, contact Jennifer Jaacks at (630) 305-0003 x303, or jjaacks@davidjamesgroup.com.
For more information about the Society of Women Engineers, visit swe.org.
About SWE
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is the world's largest advocate and catalyst for change for women in engineering and technology. The not-for-profit educational and service organization is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. To ensure SWE members reach their full potential as engineers and leaders, the Society offers unique opportunities to network, provides professional development, shapes public policy and provides recognition for the life-changing contributions and achievements of women engineers. As a champion of diversity, SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in their personal and professional lives. For more information about the Society, please visit www.swe.org or call 312.596.5223.
i 2015 SWE National Gender Culture Study
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SOURCE The Society of Women Engineers