While more than half of professionals in the U.S. are women, only 26 percent of computing positions are held by a woman. “I don’t believe it’s a skill or capability issue, I really think it’s a lack of exposure,” says Visa’s Adamaka Ajaelo in this inspiring video. As someone who excelled in engineering and math, Adamaka wanted to give back to her Oakland, CA community by changing girls’ attitudes about STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects.
She launched Self-eSTEM, a week-long camp for girls that introduces them to professionals in science, architecture, bioengineering and other fields they might not have imagined possible with a STEM education. “The main problem I’m trying to solve with this camp is really to open up exposure to underrepresented and underserved communities.”