In an effort to tackle the gender disparities in STEM fields, ePlus Inc. has launched its newest initiative, the 2025 GRIT: Girls Re-Imagining Tomorrow® program. This program aims to inspire and empower young women to pursue careers in technology through mentorship, education, and hands-on experiences, focusing particularly on cybersecurity and AI.
Exploring the 2025 GRIT Program Initiatives
The 2025 GRIT initiative is set to impact over 100 middle and high school girls from various schools across states like California, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. By providing these students with an immersive experience in the world of technology, GRIT offers crucial insights into the industry. The program not only enhances their understanding of potential career paths but also prepares them to overcome the challenges of the evolving tech landscape.
ePlus and Cisco’s Role in Empowering Women
Launched initially in 2017, GRIT was developed as a partnership between ePlus and technology giant Cisco. This joint venture was in direct response to the critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals globally—a gap even more pronounced among women. Through GRIT, both ePlus and Cisco commit to building a competent future workforce by enabling these young participants to visualize themselves in diverse tech roles and encouraging them towards such lucrative careers.
Outcomes and Expectations from GRIT 2025
The GRIT program has not just been about participation; it’s about yielding tangible outcomes where almost 500 girls have graduated since its inception. According to Mark Marron, CEO and president of ePlus, the overarching goal is to “shine a light on the many rewarding and meaningful technology careers available to women.” The program’s success lies in its ability to make technology accessible and help these young women forge a significant pathway in the tech world, consequently making a broad impact globally.
In conclusion, ePlus Inc.’s GRIT Program stands as a beacon of hope for young women aspiring to enter the technology arena. It exemplifies a progressive approach towards closing the gender gap in STEM and sets a solid foundation for the future of technology with a more inclusive and diverse workforce. The ongoing efforts and achievements of the GRIT initiative ensure that the journey towards gender equity in tech continues to gain momentum.
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