To encourage women to enter fields in which they are typically underrepresented, such as engineering, mathematics, science and technology, many schools nationwide are hosting events that provide information about pursuing higher education in these areas.
Last weekend, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute hosted its annual Design Your Future Day (DYFD), which invites local female high school students to participate in activities that inform them about science degree programs and future career opportunities, according to the school's website.
Included in the day's events will be a group of panelists who will discuss topics including materials science, embedded control systems, art and games with computer animation, nuclear engineering, intellectual property and patent law.
Barbara Ruel, director of the institution's diversity and women in Engineering programs and director of the day's events, stated that these programs give "young women the opportunity to explore intellectually stimulating and exciting degrees in math, science, technology and engineering and to meet young women like them who have already chosen to pursue such careers."
By 2018, employment of mathematicians is projected to increase by 22 percent, much faster than the average 10 percent expected for all other occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
