About
The Faculty of Engineering and Design at Carleton University is committed to initiatives which support women in engineering and information technology at every step along their journey. Too often, female students in high school do not view STEM as a viable academic and career path.
Changing perceptions and fostering interest in engineering, technology and innovation among young people in our community is a top priority for us. The recruitment and retention of women in our engineering programs will help foster the next generation of leaders of industry, contributing to a larger, qualified and diverse workforce. That’s why we offer support to prospective students well before they step foot on campus.
Current engineering and IT undergraduate students at Carleton who are women:
28%
Current engineering and IT graduate students at Carleton who are women:
34%
Women in Engineering & IT Program
Supported by leading engineering and information technology organizations, our WiE&IT Program is one of the first of its kind in Canada and hopes to help close the gender gap in STEM. The program runs throughout academic year (September to April) and provides women students studying in a STEM discipline at Carleton with networking, mentorship, and soft-skill development opportunities. Browse our upcoming offerings below.
Mentorship Nights
Mentorship Nights are intimate conversations for women students to access informal mentorship opportunities. Four times during the academic year, women students can participate in a roundtable discussion with working professionals from leading engineering and IT companies on topics like networking, the job application process, communicating effectively, and transitioning from university to the workplace.
Study Lounge
The Study Lounge is a space in the Engineering Design Centre (EDC) for women students to develop personal connections, access graduate-level women study support, and do school work. Women students will need to sign-up for swipe card access to get in and out of the room.
Career and Networking Fair
This is an in-person event hosted on campus for women students in STEM who want to establish and grow their professional network. Students who attend the event will get to speak to representatives who work at leading engineering and IT organizations. Participants will learn: what these organizations do, future employment opportunities, and how to establish employability skills.
Resume Book
Connect with potential employers through the Resume Book. Your resume will be put in front of employers who are looking for women students for upcoming co-op, internship, and job opportunities.
Workshop Day
Workshop Day will help women students in STEM develop their employability skills. Students who attend the event will learn how to brand themselves to potential employers and how to make their resumes stand out from the crowd. Participants will leave the event with tangible takeaways that they can immediately implement.
Open House
The Open House is a tour of a company partner’s office space, where you’ll get a snapshot of what it’s like to work for leading engineering and IT companies. You’ll be able to chat with employees and see the organization from the inside.
WiE&IT Program Partners
Thank you to our company partners! This program would not be possible without your support.
STEM Programs for Youth
Virtual Ventures
Virtual Ventures is a not-for-profit organization run under the Faculty of Engineering and Design at Carleton University. Virtual Ventures offers nationally recognized technology and engineering programs for youth who have completed junior kindergarten – grade 12.
Programs run through Virtual Ventures include summer camp, fall and winter clubs, school outreach workshops, InSTEM (Indigenous Youth in STEM) programs and Girls Outreach Events. Virtual Ventures provides the youth of Ottawa with stimulating experiences in all aspects of computers, information technology, engineering, and science. Virtual Ventures will mark its 30th year of operation in 2024.
