Work in progress - women in technology: An initiative to reach females in rural Wisconsin

Women in Technology (WIT), a collaboration program model promotes the relevance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields for females, provides opportunities to explore and pursue STEM education and careers to increase and sustain the economic vitality of rural Wisconsin. Agricultural, manufacturing, health and service industries in rural Wisconsin are increasingly requiring more technically adept and trained employees. As women are under rep resented in STEM careers it is therefore critical to educate women about careers that create a professional employment base, contribute to a diverse labor force and provide life sustaining wages and personal satisfaction for women. Forming partnerships with industry, educational, youth serving and professional organizations is a key strategy to the program´s success and sustainability. Women in Technology works to deliver best practices program models such as mentoring, hands-on programs, scholarships, role-modeling and career exploration for females from middle school through university including technical colleges which often serve non-traditional students.