Society of Women Engineers' Jennifer Abman Scott on the STEM Re-entry Task Force and Proposed Legislation on Returnships!

In this Extraordinary Conversation, DrCat talks with Jennifer Abman Scott, the Executive Vice President of Partnerships and events at theSociety of Women Engineers (SWE). Jennifer co-founded and co-chairs the STEM Re-entry Task Force, which aims to bring women back to the workforce in engineering and technology-forward roles.

She also emphasizes that return to work programs are not only for women who took time off for caretaking purposes, and discusses the challenges that professionals face when they try to re-enter the workforce after an extended absence, emphasizing the need for mentorship and "upskilling" for returning professionals.

This discussion addresses the need the challenges and limitations of hiring practices in the public sector, and highlights the importance of valuing diverse experiences and being open to candidates who may have taken non-traditional career paths. They also suggest ways in which the public sector can consider adopting models that have worked in the past, such as internship and fellowship programs and short-term placements

Finally, Jennifer reviews the current legislation and other congressional activities related to Career Re-Entry programs and Women in STEM.