Supporting women professionals

19 July 2011

Women today make up a disproportionately low percentage of America's workforce in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields compared to male peers. Therefore, six years ago Rolls-Royce Corporation Engineering partnered with Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI, Indianapolis, USA, to sponsor an Engineering Camp called "Preparing Outstanding Women for Engineering Roles" (POWER).

The POWER Camp was held in late June and provided high school girls interested in STEM fields experience of what the engineering field entails and an opportunity to develop day-to-day life skills. We continue to support the POWER camp by providing experienced professional leadership and being a major sponsor.

The presenter at the 2011 opening session was Tonia Riggins, Manufacturing Manager for Component Services at Rolls-Royce Corporation.

The girls learned the STEM essentials during the camp

The week-long residential camp includes discussions with professional women engineers (which include Rolls-Royce Society of Engineers members and Engineering Co-op students), hands-on experiments, laboratory activities, tours of engineering businesses, and various community events throughout the city of Indianapolis.

Elaine Lawrence, Engineering Employee Development Pre-College, Program Manager says, "Being a woman in Engineering is an intense challenge. But, the self-gratification and benefits have tremendous payoffs in achievements and contributions to our society. That's why we need to cast a vision to the next generation of women leaders for what they can accomplish."