ERFURT_ Women are still underrepresented in scientific and technical professions, and that should change: The Thuringian networking evening "MINT-Geflüster" contributes to this, taking place on Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM at the COMCENTER Brühl (Erfurt). The word "MINT" is derived from the fields of study and professions of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology. All women who work in these fields or aspire to study or pursue a career in them are invited to the networking evening. The MINT-Geflüster is organized by the Thuringian Coordination Office for Natural Sciences and Technology, based at TU Ilmenau, and the LEG Thüringen, at whose company headquarters the COMCENTER Brühl is located.
With this year's theme "Work-Life Balance - Reconciling Family and Career“, a topic is being addressed that affects women at all Careerevels and in different ways. The introductory presentation and the subsequent discussion engage the participants in different ways. "Whether it is the young graduate who has to coordinate her next career steps with her own family planning, or the experienced Careerwoman who has to care for relatives in need of care: We want to discuss with our guests what it means to have a good work-life balance and what conditions both companies and employees need“, says Melanie Meder-Jurcin, project coordinator of the Thuringian Coordination Office.
The networking evening is aimed at all women who want to exchange ideas with like-minded people from science and technology. It addresses female students, graduates, doctoral candidates, women returning to work, employees, and female executives at Thuringian universities and in the regional economy. At the event, women provide insights into their career paths, experts discuss MINT career fields and paths in a panel discussion, and a get-together opens up many opportunities to engage in conversation with one another.
The keynote and introductory presentation will be given by Anika Schmidt, co-founder of FreeMOM. This is a digital platform that specializes in the target group of working mothers. Here you will find options for – often flexible – employment in the labor market; conversely, companies can find skilled workers through this channel. Mothers who want to work represent a valuable resource in times of skilled labor shortages, so FreeMOM with its offering provides solutions for an important current challenge. “The example of FreeMOM shows that with creative approaches it is possible to achieve two important goals: to enable women access to professional activity – especially in STEM fields – and at the same time to support companies in recognizing such potential and finding new skilled workers“, says Sabine Wosche, Managing Director of LEG. “Innovative ideas and strategies for professional advancement arise precisely through exchange with one another, and we offer a platform for this with our networking evening.“
A panel discussion moderated by freelance journalist Franziska Klemm will provide inspiration and suggestions during the course of the evening. Participants include Anika Schmidt from FreeMOM, Prof. Dr. Maria Dienerowitz, Professor of the SciTec Department at Ernst-Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena, Dr. Sigrun Fuchs, project staff member of LEG Thüringen and federal board member of "Wir pflegen e. V.“, and Dipl. Ing. Katrin Hujo, Head of the Medical Technology Cluster at Helios Klinikum Thüringen Mitte. Following the panel discussion, there will be an opportunity for targeted exchange among participants at the get-together in a relaxed atmosphere.
Already from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM, a workshop prior to the event offers a lot of useful information on the topic of communication. The offer is aimed at female students.
Background:
LEG has always been deeply committed to the topic of equal opportunities and diversity. Since 2007, it has been a holder of the “TOTAL E-QUALITY“ award, which recognizes commitment in these areas. In addition, the “Thüringer Agentur für Fachkräftegewinnung“ (ThAFF), which is based at LEG, conducts marketing for Thuringia as a place of employment, supports Thuringians in their return to the local labor market, and assists companies in meeting their skilled labor needs. The Thuringian Coordination Office for STEM (NWT) is a working unit of the Thuringian universities; it motivates female students to take up a STEM degree program in Thuringia and supports female students during their studies.
Participation and dinner are free of charge. All those interested in the "MINT-Geflüster" can register until June 7 at www.thueko.de. Registrations for the preliminary workshop are also still possible via this URL.
All representatives of the media are cordially welcome at the evening event. A program of the event is attached to this media information.
