Tech from the Heart:
Insight’s Inaugural Hackathon Promotes Diversity in STEAM
Written by Joyce MullenPresident & CEO, Insight
Joyce assumed her role in January 2022 as president and CEO of Insight Enterprises, a $9.4 billion Fortune 500 organization. She leads Insight’s evolution as an industry-recognized solutions integrator that helps organizations accelerate their digital journey and maximize the business value of technology.
The technology industry has made significant strides toward creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce. More women than ever before are working in tech and hold tech leadership roles.
According to McKinsey and the Global Parity Alliance, only 24% of senior leadership roles in technology are filled by women.
Fortunately, we’ve seen a rise of women in the C-suite from 17% to 28% since 2015; however, the percentage of leaders of color in those roles has dropped from 36% to 21% in that same time.
We still have a long way to go to reach true parity.
In our previous issues, we’ve highlighted Insight’s continued commitment to breaking barriers, such as through partnerships with Girls Who Code and the Cartwheel Foundation.
To build on that, it is an honor to announce our EMEA team’s recent partnership with Stemettes, a renowned charity organization in the United Kingdom inspiring the next generation of females into STEAM.
In partnership with Stemettes, Insight held an inaugural hackathon in October 2023 at our UK office in Uxbridge. The focus of the event was to promote diversity in tech fields and encourage young minds to explore the revolutionary power of AI.
Aimed at inspiring and motivating young women and non-binary individuals aged between 5 and 25, the event reinforced the potential of AI to solve global challenges.
“At Insight, we recognize the growing need for diversity in STEAM roles and remain dedicated to driving innovation and promoting diversity in tech fields,” says Karen McLaughlin, global CoE and SVP of services at Insight EMEA. “This event provided opportunities to inspire attendees and equip them with the necessary skills to understand the power of technology and the impact it can have on society.”
At Insight, we recognize the growing need for diversity in STEAM roles and remain dedicated to driving innovation and promoting diversity in tech fields.
The hackathon provided a great opportunity for young minds to gain practical knowledge in coding, web and app development. These girls and young women saw firsthand how practical applications of AI can address societal challenges like healthcare, well-being and social issues.
“The events Stemettes deliver in partnership with Insight allow us to not only engage young women and non-binary folk into STEAM learning but also showcase role models in STEAM and build knowledge of different career options available to young people,” says Stemettes CEO Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon.
Women can excel beyond computer science in the tech industry by taking on careers in areas such as data analytics, product management, design, AI and business support roles. Entry-level opportunities, such as apprenticeships, internships and graduate programs, help women gain valuable work experience and offer the chance to explore potential career paths.
The events Stemettes deliver in partnership with Insight allow us to not only engage young women and non-binary folk into STEAM learning but also showcase role models in STEAM and build knowledge of different career options available to young people.
Our Insight 360 summer internship program is a great example, and we’re currently bringing in 60 new candidates for our largest cohort yet in 2024.
Emily Pencek is a promising Insight teammate whose career got a kickstart in this way. She started as an IT Applications intern and did such a bang-up job that we hired her permanently as a developer on our Robotic Process Automation team. Now she’s right at the heart of our booming AI business.
The tech industry provides the potential to push boundaries in so many ways. Whether it’s using generative AI to dramatically boost productivity — or breaking through glass ceilings to ensure we have more women at the table of innovation.
By ensuring that everyone has the chance to excel, regardless of gender or race, we can create a level playing field that leads to well-paid, in-demand jobs and fulfilling careers.
Insight’s partnership with Stemettes and motivated people like Emily Pencek are helping us take more steps toward that goal.
Read more stories about how we’re using technology to make a positive impact.
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