Communications of the ACM
Mentoring Offers a Cure to Mid-Career Drain of Tech Talent
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Around half of women leave their jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields—particularly in computing and engineering—after about 12 years at work, according to a study cited by the U.S. National Center for Women & Information Technology.
Family reasons are not the primary reason for their departure, according to the report, "What's So Special About STEM? A Comparison of Women's Retention in STEM and Professional Occupations," published in the journal Social Forces. Women in another study identified isolation, feeling stalled in their careers, and lack of mentorship.
"You can't be what you can't see" is a phrase that comes up in discussions about diversity in the workplace. Female role models can be influential, but even more powerful is the experience of working one to one with a mentor who offers personalized advice, support, and encouragement, often face to face, says Melissa Di Donato, a chief revenue officer at SAP.
From Financial Times
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