Women are 23 percent more likely to drop out of STEM fields in college, yet inherently embody strengths such as empathy and collaboration needed by corporations in the tech industries. Paid for Grades founder and Chargebacks911 CEO Monica Eaton feels there is an increasing need for mentoring work beginning in elementary and middle schools to ensure that women occupy more seats in the boardroom and be in the company of other talented women leaders.
TAMPA BAY, Fla., March 6, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Women are 23 percent more likely to drop out of STEM fields in college, yet inherently embody strengths such as empathy and collaboration needed by corporations in tech industries. The time to inspire young girls and begin to train on the values of STEM fields is during elementary and middle school; not waiting for college, notes Monica Eaton, Paid for Grades founder and Chargebacks911 CEO.
As a role model and mentor to generations of women entrepreneurs and those that have an eye on science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM), Monica Eaton created Paid for Grades, a partnership with the Pinellas Education Foundation in Tampa Bay, Florida fostering confidence in students to reach their potential. Paid for Grades has provided over $1 million to area students, teachers and schools since its original pilot in 2013. (1) Two years earlier, when the growing issue of chargebacks plagued her business, Eaton founded Chargebacks911, the first technology platform provider supporting end-to-end chargeback and transaction dispute resolution and remediation. With a passion for inspiring more women to enter the technology field, she went on to create LIFT, a program providing mentoring opportunities for women in technology. (2)
Globally, only 33 percent of researchers, 22 percent of professionals working in artificial intelligence and 28 percent of engineering graduates are women. (3) Women constitute almost 50 percent of the labor market, but in STEM fields only 28 percent are women as opposed to 72 percent of men. They are less likely to be promoted and are less present in corporate leadership and technical roles in STEM industries. (4)
"There are stumbling blocks to progress that must be addressed if women are to earn the opportunities to provide the depth of diverse aptitudes and management strengths that equate to the success of all businesses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics," notes Eaton.
As role models, successful women in STEM are finding value in interacting with young girls in elementary and middle school to inspire an interest in math, science and computer technology before they reach high school. Eaton wants to ensure that bright young women enter a college classroom with confidence, surrounded by other girls. She also wants to turn around the statistics that women are far less likely than men to declare a STEM major once in college ─ and are 23 percent more likely to drop out of STEM fields than their male counterparts. (5) The mentorship programs she has created are building blocks to increase the numbers of girls majoring in science and technology and ensure that they remain in the programs until graduation with the degrees that reflect their aspirations.
"We have been blessed to have accomplished female leaders join our ranks, some of whom have been making significant impacts in a multitude of industries for years," said Eaton. "For example, we recently brought on Pel Faquiryan as our chief growth officer, as she has an incredible track record of success at companies specializing in STEM, including as vice president at U.S. Bank, Ingenico and FiServ. It's women like these that are truly showing what passion and determination can bring to any company that is willing to give them the opportunity."
In honor of Women's History Month in March and dates throughout the year recognizing women and girls in STEM, Eaton urges employers and educators to work together to establish programs that will nurture women's interest and confidence in the industry.
"My female colleagues and I spend as much time as we can with young women in our own fields of expertise, and we strongly encourage women working in other STEM fields to do the same. The girls need us, and the future needs them."
About Monica Eaton
As an acclaimed entrepreneur, speaker, and author, Monica Eaton is widely recognized as a thought leader in the FinTech industry and a champion of women in technology. She established her entrepreneurial credentials upon selling her first business at the age of 19. When a subsequent eCommerce venture was plagued by revenue-leeching chargebacks and fraud, Eaton rose to the challenge by developing a robust solution that combined human insight and agile technology. Today, her innovations are used by thousands of companies worldwide, cementing her reputation as one of the payment industry's foremost experts in risk management, chargeback mitigation, and fraud prevention. Monica Eaton is honored to be the recipient of various industry awards. Her own expertise, as well as the services provided by her companies, has been recognized as outstanding by her peers and other industry leaders. Visit http://www.monicaec.com.
References:
1. Staff Writer. "Paid for Grades, Student Incentive Program", Paid for Grades.com, 2013, paidforgrades.org/about-2/.
2. Eaton, Monica. "LIFT: Elevating Women Through Mentorship", MonicaEC.com, 05 July 2021, monicaec.com/lift-elevating-women-through-mentorship/.
3. Staff Writer. "In Focus: International Day of Women and Girls in Science", UN Women, 09 February 2022, unwomen.org/en/news-stories/in-focus/2022/02/in-focus-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science.
4. Staff Writer. "Where are the Young Women in STEM? Make Your Mark in High School", Princeton Review, 2023, princetonreview.com/college-advice/women-in-stem.
5. Brown, Emilie. "Why Women are Underrepresented in STEM and How we Can Start to Close the Gap", The Aggie, 25 January 2023, theaggie.org/2023/01/25/the-gender-gap-in-stem/.
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SOURCE Monica Eaton
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