Altis Puts Female Role Models in Classrooms to Inspire Girls

Altis Consulting is tackling the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by bringing its IgniteHer program directly into high school classrooms. This Australian data analytics firm aims to inspire girls from Year 9 onward, building their confidence and illuminating the many career possibilities within STEM fields.

Charmaine Loratet, Chief People Officer at Altis, points out that despite some progress, significant gender disparities persist. She emphasizes the importance of starting career conversations early. “As a leader in Data and Analytics, we feel a strong responsibility to demonstrate that this field is a genuinely rewarding career path for women,” Loratet explains. The core mission is to give young girls the self-assurance to pursue STEM and clearly outline the educational and professional routes open to them.

The statistics reveal a challenging landscape. Only 15% of STEM-qualified jobs are currently held by women, and that figure drops to a mere 12% for women in CEO-level STEM positions. Confidence emerges as a major hurdle. According to the Australian Government’s recent Youth in STEM report, girls’ belief in their STEM abilities tends to decline with age. For instance, while 74% of girls aged 12-13 feel confident in technology subjects, that number plummets to 48% for those aged 14-17.

The same study highlighted a dramatic aspiration gap, finding girls are half as likely as boys to aim for a STEM career, 22% compared to 43%. “Our program is designed to directly counter that trend,” Loratet states. “It’s often said you can’t be what you can’t see. Our female tech consultants visit schools to share their personal career journeys, making the idea of a STEM profession feel both exciting and attainable.”

Every IgniteHer session is structured around several key components. Students learn about the advantages of a consulting career, the university degrees that can lead to roles in data and analytics, and the sheer variety of pathways available. They hear firsthand accounts from female technical consultants who discuss their motivations for entering the field and the opportunities they’ve encountered. The program also incorporates interactive, hands-on activities that teach data fundamentals in a fun and engaging manner.

Feedback from educators confirms the program’s positive impact. Teachers observe students leaving the sessions feeling inspired and more self-assured about their potential in STEM. Samuel Chappuis, a Mathematics and STEM teacher at Mitchell High School in Blacktown, NSW, noted that the program helped demystify STEM careers for his students. “Hearing personal stories from professionals made these career paths feel much more tangible,” Chappuis said. “The session significantly broadened their understanding of the diverse roles and trajectories possible.”

Chappuis also highlighted how stereotypes and social expectations can make girls doubt their place in STEM. He believes IgniteHer effectively builds confidence and fosters a crucial sense of belonging within STEM communities.

St John Paul II Catholic College in Schofields & Nirimba reported similar successes. School officials said the program helped students appreciate the flexibility to transition between different roles in STEM. The relatable stories from Altis staff made various career options feel more accessible and realistic for the young women.

(Source: ITWire Australia)