Women trail in technology careers
State Farm works to close the gap
Nancy Smith
State Farm Technology Analyst
Women are nearly half of the U.S. workforce, but only 27% of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workers. By the time students reach college, women are significantly underrepresented in STEM majors – 21% of engineering majors, and 19% of computer and information science majors, are women.
“State Farm promotes IT [Information Technology] engagement with STEM in diverse populations as early as grade school and continues to engage with students through our State Farm Enterprise Technology Internship programs,” said Nancy Smith, State Farm Technology Analyst and STEM lead.
As for her own path to the STEM world, Nancy said, “Since I went into a male-dominated field, I was always intentional about connecting with other women to be inspired by their journeys. Also, being a lifelong learner led to my current role in Enterprise Technology as the STEM Engagement Coordinator to partner with school districts to build a future talent pipeline.”
Pretty Reji, State Farm Technology Director and lead in the Women & Technology (W&T) Employee Resource Group, credits State Farm culture for making progress in STEM career opportunities.
Pretty Reji
State Farm Technology Director
She said, “The State Farm workplace is known for inclusiveness, opportunity, and personal development where everyone can thrive and do their best and grow personally and professionally. W&T can thrive in this environment as it helps bridge the gap by providing opportunities as a community to support women at State Farm as well as support the young girls in the community.”
There are many ways State Farm, and its external partners, are raising awareness of STEM for women.
Hundreds of State Farm employees volunteer at STEM events.
Technology Women in Leadership also plays an important role in STEM. The group models the importance of women in STEM through its leadership position. Members mentor, work in the schools, serve on the board of a variety of women’s organizations, and more.
How State Farm® is closing STEM gender gap
Employee Resource Group [ERG] – Women and Technology
- It provides technology and leadership-level connections, personal development, and exposure for ERG members, connecting them with internal resources, role models and opportunities to build their skills and develop professionally.
Educational Milestone – Girls Who Code
- The event is held at the State Farm Atlanta office location with added virtual opportunities.
- Girls participate in a seven-week, virtual/on-site coding camp.
- More than 100 girls participated each summer over the last six years
- Tech Astra (Previously known as Millennium Girls) is a one-day technology camp previously held at the State Farm Bloomington office location. In 2021, the event became virtual with 400 girls participating from 22 states.
- For more than a decade, State Farm has empowered more than 2,000 fifth- through eighth-grade girls to experience coding, robotics, and engineering challenges in a safe and fun setting.
- Hundreds of State Farm employees volunteer their time to support this event.
STEM Program in Schools – State Farm advocacy
- The program engages the community to promote IT at State Farm in grades K-12 with local school districts.
- State Farm provides charitable funds to support STEM programs run by colleges and universities:
- University of Texas at Dallas – Young Women in Science & Engineering Investigators
- Dallas College – STEAM Camp for Girls
- Collin College – Coding Camp for Girls
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