Empowering STEM futures for young women in Singapore
With decades of local expertise, The Asia Foundation, together with Microsoft, is developing infrastructure to support young women in Singapore as they pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
The STEM ConnectHER (SCH) initiative is a regional “network of networks” that gathers in-country STEM networks, associations, educational organizations, and the private sector to enable cross-region connection and collaboration. Within this network, partners collectively support young women as they pursue professional growth and careers in chosen fields across the STEM focus areas.
In addition to mentorship, the program features workshops, training, and activities to engage and support participants. Opportunities include:
- Speaker series—monthly live webinars by leading professionals, covering topics from tech trends to professional insights from women in STEM.
- Cross-region mentoring—a platform that enables both mentors and mentees to create their professional profile and seamlessly search and connect with each other.
- Professional development resources—a curated library of industry-developed, self-study resources for SCH program participants.
- Job readiness skills—access to the EvolveCareers Job Readiness Accelerator, a co-creation with leading employers to provide learning experiences for young people as they transition from education to tech careers.
- Workplace experiences—industry visits to leading tech firms in Singapore, including Microsoft offices.
The program helps young women build industry connections as well as identify opportunities for success in STEM.
“It has [increased] my confidence very much. I was unsure of my decision to pursue my studies in the IT field, hoping to build a career in the industry as well,” says Nur Ain Binti Mohamed Azman, a participant from ITE East. “However, being able to get the opportunity to attend talks and events through the program has shown me that there are lots of women like myself who also faced their own struggles in their career. I was more interested to find out the challenges they faced and how they overcame them.”
Azman especially appreciated the industry visits. “Having the opportunity to visit [Microsoft] in Singapore and take a peek into some of their job scopes, daily work life, and environment, made me more motivated in my studies so that one day I can work in a company such as Microsoft.”
Through this initiative, The Asia Foundation and Microsoft empower young women across Singapore to pursue their dreams, make informed choices on specific STEM fields, and form connections to help kickstart their career for years to come. To learn more and get involved, visit The Asia Foundation website.