WATERLOO, ON – BlackBerry yesterday unveiled a new scholarship program the company hopes will inspire more women to enter and develop careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The BlackBerry scholars program will provide full, four-year tuition scholarships to women from around the world who are pursuing STEM-oriented degrees at accredited colleges and universities with a particular interest or aptitude in the area of mobile computing.
While women make up 55% of BlackBerry’s customer base, they’re not as well represented in the IT industry. Only 8.6% of women graduate with computer engineering, despite the fact that significantly more women enroll and graduate from college than men. Just 25% of US IT jobs are held by women, and over half of these women eventually leave the field of technology for other careers.
“Women are underrepresented in fields of science and tech, and we feel strongly that it’s time to support a change,” said BlackBerry global creative director, musician Alicia Keys, who unveiled the scholarship program today at the company’s annual conference in Orlando, Fla. “It’s important to connect the dots for young women in high school and college and show them that careers in science and technology are within their reach. And when women do land these jobs, it’s vital they receive the tools and support they need to advance in their careers.”
In addition to providing full, four-year course tuition, BlackBerry will also offer mentorship and professional opportunities for each of the scholars. The scholars will be selected based on their academic merit and passion for entering the mobile computing industry. Keys will head a panel of notable women who will choose the applicants from nominations submitted before the deadline of June 26, 2013.
