STEM Passport Seeks Industry Mentors to Support Girls in STEM Education

STEM Passport Seeks Industry Mentors to Support Girls in STEM Education - Professional coverage

STEM Passport for Inclusion, the award-winning initiative supporting underrepresented teenage girls in STEM education, is actively seeking new industry mentors to join its expanding program. Founded five years ago by Prof Katriona O’Sullivan at Maynooth University, the program has demonstrated remarkable success in creating pathways to third-level STEM studies for secondary school students from working-class backgrounds.

Program Growth and National Expansion

After a powerful start with 1,250 participants in its first two years, the initiative expanded nationwide in 2023 with Atlantic Technological University and Munster Technological University joining to deliver the program regionally. The program’s impressive reach now extends to over 5,300 girls by the end of 2024, with recent funding of nearly €900,000 from Research Ireland supporting plans to engage another 5,000 students by 2027.

Mentor Commitment and Impact

Mentors are asked to dedicate approximately 15 hours between November and April, including training time, to share their professional experiences with small groups of students. The program focuses on providing insights, career advice, and most importantly, normalizing the presence of women in STEM fields. This mentoring approach creates what industry experts note as crucial early exposure to career possibilities that can shape educational and professional trajectories.

Mentor Experiences and Perspectives

Eimear Michaels, Business Operations Director at Microsoft and a mentor since the program’s inception, emphasizes the transformative power of early exposure. “I went to a DEIS school and never thought I’d end up working in a company like Microsoft,” she reflects. “I had nobody talking to me about this kind of stuff when I was 15.”

Michaels, who describes her own career path as “roundabout” into technology, believes the program effectively opens young girls’ eyes to possibilities while creating meaningful connections through shared stories and mutual questioning.

Grainne McDonagh, a mentor for over four years, describes the experience as “hugely energizing and rewarding.” Having studied engineering at third level without family precedent in STEM education, McDonagh understands the importance of guidance when stepping into unfamiliar territory. She recalls her first university lecture at University College Dublin with approximately 300 students, realizing the significance of representation and support systems.

Broader Context and Industry Significance

The need for such initiatives becomes increasingly important as according to recent analysis, the technology sector continues to evolve rapidly. Simultaneously, industry experts note the importance of maintaining human elements in technological advancement, highlighting the continued relevance of mentorship programs that bridge education and industry.

How to Become a STEM Passport Mentor

Prospective mentors can apply through the official program application form, joining a growing network of professionals committed to diversifying STEM fields. The program structure, much like an educational passport, provides students with credentials, work experience, and mentorship—creating comprehensive pathways to success.

Key benefits for mentors include:

  • Making tangible impact on students’ educational and career choices
  • Connecting with the next generation of STEM professionals
  • Contributing to diversity and inclusion in the technology sector
  • Professional development through mentoring experience

The program continues to demonstrate that early intervention and role model exposure can fundamentally alter career perceptions and opportunities for young women in STEM fields, creating pipelines of talent that benefit both students and the broader technology ecosystem.

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