Closing the Gap: Working Toward Gender Parity in Tech

On Sep 20, 2021

Disclaimer: Sponsored content articles do not reflect the opinions of New Jersey Business magazine or the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

Did you know? Only 16% of females have had a tech career suggested to them – vs. 33% of males. At Panasonic, we are committed to creating space for women – not just in our organization, but within the larger tech community. The Panasonic Foundation supports young women in fulfilling their potential by investing in programs that prepare them for success in the future.

We believe this type of educational outreach is essential to bridging the gender gap in technology because 97% of girls will lose interest in STEM topics if they are not engaged by the 5th grade according to Educational Consultant Dr. Kenneth Wesson. By providing students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in STEM early in life, they will attain a competitive advantage in the 21st-century job market.

[Nearly 40% of women who earn engineering degrees either quit or never enter the profession.]

While the tech community works with educators to build a pipeline of talent by reaching girls at a young age and getting them excited about STEM fields, there is another barrier to entry that must be addressed. Nearly half of women who earn degrees in engineering either quit or never enter the profession, according to data from the National Center of Education Statistics. So, we can create a better talent pipeline that introduces girls to STEM subjects early on, but if we do not address the underlying issues that are currently deterring qualified women from entering and remaining in STEM fields, that pipeline will never achieve its full potential.

At Panasonic, we’re dedicated to engaging with our employees and empowering them to have rich, diverse careers. When engineers join the company, they work with their managers to determine professional goals and explore various opportunities ahead through strategically designed career frameworks.

[42% of women feel there are a lack of female role models in the field.]

A major barrier that women face across many professions is a lack of role models. Across the board, women are underrepresented in leadership roles. At Panasonic, we’re immensely proud of our female leaders and committed to creating more opportunities for women to lead in our company.

To help address the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, Panasonic hosts an employee-run group called RISE. The group encourages women – and others – to find connections outside of their area of work for broader professional guidance and mentorship. We also host diversity-geared networking events for professionals with managerial experience.

Explore our latest career opportunities at careers.na.panasonic.com and learn more about #WhatMovesUs at na.panasonic.com.

Disclaimer: Sponsored content articles do not reflect the opinions of New Jersey Business magazine or the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

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