Whether they come from bustling cities or quiet rural towns—young women look up to world-renowned figures in STEM like Marie Curie, the pioneering physicist and chemist; Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician critical to NASA’s space missions; and Ada Lovelace, often considered the first computer programmer. Inspired by these trailblazers, they think about their future and are inspired to change the world.

On this National STEM Day, we celebrate the first anniversary of SDG&E’s #BeThatGirl mentor program, an initiative dedicated to bridging the equity gaps in STEM fields. Women account for less than 33% of the STEM workforce and less than 35% are people of color. The program addresses these disparities through mentorship, scholarships and community support.

Meeting industry professionals is crucial for young women aspiring to enter STEM fields. These interactions provide invaluable insights into the industry, help build professional networks and offer real-world perspectives that can guide their educational and career choices. The #BeThatGirl mentor program facilitates these connections, ensuring that participants have access to mentors who can share their experiences and advice.

The statistics are stark: 45% of women drop out of STEM majors, and women earn only 38% of all STEM degrees. These figures highlight the urgent need for programs like #BeThatGirl, which provides the support and resources necessary for young women and people of color to thrive in STEM careers.

The #BeThatGirl initiative is part of the bi-annual SDG&E Inspiring Future Leaders STEM Scholarship program, which awards $10,000 per student to ten recipients each year. This scholarship can be renewed for up to three years, potentially providing a total of $40,000 in financial aid per student. To be eligible, applicants must self-identify as women or BIPOC, be high school seniors, graduates, or current college undergraduates, and plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate STEM program at an accredited college or university within SDG&E’s service territory. The next round of applications opens in Spring 2025.

The latest cohort of the #BeThatGirl program includes 51 student participants, 18 SDG&E mentors and representation from seven nonprofits. These students are divided into eight mentor groups, each participating in five one-hour sessions designed to build skills such as creating elevator pitches, identifying strengths, building healthy relationships and developing time management skills.