The teenagers tackling tech’s gender gap
14-year-old Elizabeth is just one of the young entrepreneurs honing her skills in the Futuremakers Bossgirls Bootcamp
Elizabeth has developed a talent for public speaking at a bootcamp known as Bossgirls Bootcamp that will support her on an ambitious entrepreneurial journey.
The 14-year-old high school student from Staten Island, New York wants to pursue a dual degree in medicine and business, while balancing a social enterprise and creative writing on the side.
Part of our Futuremakers programme, Bossgirls is delivered in partnership with the Zahn Innovation Center at the City College of New York. It involves a bootcamp that introduces girls to entrepreneurship and innovative technology to get them engaged in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and close the gender gap in tech.
I want to leave a positive impact on the world
– Elizabeth
As part of the programme, Elizabeth and her team, Mealize, took part in workshops on research, marketing and product development skills.
Programme mentors, who are volunteer Standard Chartered employees, taught the girls to hone their business plans and perfect their pitch and financials as they prepared to deliver a final pitch to a live audience at our New York office.
Mealize’s idea was a meal options platform for people with dietary restrictions and allergies, giving everyone a seat at the table. Elizabeth said: “The networking and public speaking skills I gained from Bossgirls will enable me to effectively deliver presentations and pitches to potential investors, as well as interpersonal skills that will help me interact with future patients.”
“I dream of pursuing a career that combines my creativity, knack for public speaking, intelligence and a desire to leave a positive impact on the world in one,” she added.
What is Futuremakers and the Bossgirls Bootcamp?
Our Futuremakers initiative empowers the next generation to learn, earn and grow. Bossgirls Bootcamp in New York – one of our Futuremakers programmes – introduces young women to technology and entrepreneurship, with the aim of:
- Boosting girls’ engagement with STEM subjects
- Giving students a network they never would have had
- Laying the groundwork for women to become future leaders