ExxonMobil encourages girls to consider engineering fields

• Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day aims to raise female students’ interest in engineering-related careers
• ExxonMobil employees to lead hands-on activities for more than 1,000 middle-school girls
• Activities part of Exxon’s continuing commitment to increase interest in the field of engineering

ExxonMobil and its employees will welcome more than 1,000 female students around the country as participants in its 15th annual Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day. The program encourages middle-school girls to learn more about engineering and the career options available in this field.  

“ExxonMobil participates in the Introduce a Girl to Engineering program to raise awareness of science, technology, engineering and math subjects, and to motivate young women to consider future careers in these fields,” said Sara Ortwein, president of ExxonMobil affiliate XTO Energy, and a civil engineer. “We are dedicated to identifying the next generation of engineering talent.” 

Through hands-on, interactive experiments, ExxonMobil and XTO Energy employees will lead a series of problem-solving activities. Students will learn how creativity and ingenuity can be used in the classroom, and how knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects can lead to rewarding engineering careers. More than 14,000 students have participated in the program since its inception in 2003. 

According to the National Science Foundation while women represent almost 50 percent of the workforce, they hold less than 20 percent of engineering jobs. Providing skills training and encouragement to young women when they are making career decisions is one way to help combat the gender gap that currently exists in this critical profession.

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day is one of many efforts by ExxonMobil dedicated to attracting more young people, and particularly girls and underrepresented minorities, to STEM careers. It is being conducted in association with Girl Day, DiscoverE’s worldwide campaign to introduce girls to engineering.

About ExxonMobil

Exxon Mobil Corporation, the largest publicly traded international energy company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil engages in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, with a focus on math and science in the United States, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria. In 2016, together with its employees and retirees, ExxonMobil, its divisions and affiliates, and the ExxonMobil Foundation provided $242 million in contributions worldwide. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contribution programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com.

About DiscoverE

DiscoverE, formerly National Engineers Week, was founded in 1951 by the National Society of Professional Engineers and is dedicated to ensuring a diverse and well-educated future engineering workforce by increasing understanding of and interest in engineering and technology careers among young students and by promoting pre-college literacy in math and science. DiscoverE also raises public understanding and appreciation of engineers' contributions to society and is among the oldest of America's professional outreach efforts. For more information please visit www.discovere.org.  

Public company information: NYSE:XOM

Contact: ExxonMobil Media Relations +1 972-940-6007