NAE ANNUAL FUND
DIVERSITY IN ENGINEERING

If the United States is to avoid a serious shortfall of qualified engineers within the next decade, the enterprise must tap into the huge pool of underused talent comprised by women and underrepresented minorities. Currently, there are proportionately fewer women and minorities in engineering than in the U.S. workforce in general and in other technical fields. This lack of diversity also affects workforce quality, by limiting the variety of perspectives and experiences available for creative problem solving.

The Academy’s Forum on Diversity in the Engineering Workforce brings stakeholders from industry, academia, professional societies, and government together to develop strategies for reaching students who may be considering engineering careers. One of the Forum’s goals -- reaching out to girls and women at key decision points in their academic and professional lives -- has lead to creation of a unique web site, Engineer Girl! The site uses engineer profiles, fun-facts, and discovery projects to introduce school-age girls to the opportunities and rewards possible in an engineering career. The next step in this project is development of similar sites designed specifically for African American and Hispanic youth.

Complementing the Forum’s work, the Committee on Diversity in the Engineering Workforce sponsors workshops, conducts studies, and publishes recommendations that lead to more women and underrepresented minorities succeeding in engineering careers.

Engineer Girl! is at www.engineergirl.org . Additional information on the NAE Forum and Committee on Diversity is available at www.nae.edu under NAE Programs. Use your browser’s Back button to return to this page.

To make an Annual Fund gift or Campaign pledge, use our secure on-line form or check out the Making Your Gift section of our website. Remember that since many employers will match charitable gifts, you may be able to double the effect of your support for the NAE.

~ ~ ~ . N A E . A n n u a l . F u n d . ~ ~ ~
Home
Diversity in Engineering
Earth Systems Engineering
Energy Systems and Energy Policy
Engineering and the Service Economy
Engineering Education
Frontiers of Engineering
Public Understanding of Engineering

For more information about any of the programs mentioned in these pages -- or about the Annual Fund in general -- please contact us at giving@nationalacademies.org or 202.334.2431.