ExxonMobil Redefines Engineering for Young Girls
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day Event Breaks Myths; Encourages Girls to Engineering Careers and Opportunities
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The perception that engineering lacks a personal touch is one of the main reasons, experts say, that more women aren't engineers. A 2003 study by the University of Michigan's Institute for Research on Women and Gender found that females choose other careers because they don't see engineering as a way to help others.
As a way to burst this myth, Exxon Mobil Corporation will participate for the fourth year in E-Week's 2007 Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day by hosting events at multiple locations in the United States and at international facilities throughout the month of February.
The annual program, a component of National Engineers Week (www.eweek.org), will have ExxonMobil employees speak with girls about engineering careers, conduct hands-on experiments, lead site tours and host interactive demonstrations for students at schools and ExxonMobil facilities. The outreach effort aims to show girls that an engineering career will offer many opportunities to work in many exciting industries, earn good money and use their talents to make a difference in the world.
The need to encourage women to pursue careers within the math and science fields is at a critical juncture in the United States. A recent American Society for Engineering Education study found that the number of women in the U.S. earning undergraduate degrees or enrolling in engineering programs declined in 2005. Women - who make up more than half of the nation's population - are vital to helping the United States remain competitive in science and engineering.
"As our world faces new energy challenges and rapid advances in technology, our country must be prepared to lead the way in the fields of science and engineering," said Rex Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer for Exxon Mobil Corporation. "While encouraging all young people to take more math and science classes and pursue careers related to these fields is critical, this initiative has even greater significance among the nation's young women. ExxonMobil is committed to helping prepare a new generation of woman leaders in math and science by supporting programs like Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day."
Since 2001, Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day has evolved into a nationwide education initiative for ExxonMobil with more than 200 employee volunteers reaching out to nearly 2,500 students in 13 different locations.
About National Engineers Week
National Engineers Week (eweek.org), founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers, is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers among young students and by promoting pre-college literacy in math and science. Engineers Week also raises public understanding and appreciation of engineers' contributions to society and is among the oldest of America's professional outreach efforts. For more information please visit www.eweek.org.
About Exxon Mobil Corporation
Exxon Mobil Corporation is a leading international energy company whose subsidiaries have operations in approximately 200 countries and territories. In the United States, ExxonMobil has significant exploration and production, refining and marketing and chemicals operations. ExxonMobil is one of the largest oil and gas producers and reserve holders in the United States, with a portfolio including Alaska, onshore Gulf Coast and deepwater Gulf of Mexico. In addition, there are approximately 16,000 Exxon and Mobil branded service stations in the U.S., as well as seven refineries, four of which are integrated petrochemical facilities. For more information about ExxonMobil, please visit the company's website at www.exxonmobil.com.
Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation
Released February 13, 2007