eDrive 2023 summer internship boosting the development of women in STEM

ACCORDING to UN Women, women remain a minority in both science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers, representing only 28 per cent of engineering graduates, 22 per cent of artificial intelligence workers, and less than one-third of tech sector employees globally.

Project eDrive’s recently concluded 2023 summer internship programme facilitated 21 students in experiencing a gateway into the working world and engaging in hands-on experience with innovative technologies within the electric mobility and renewable energy sector.

Among the 21 were six female engineering students.

Project eDrive is the collaborative effort of the JPS Foundation and IDB LAB and is headed by Project Manager Coleen Palmer-Wright and Project Assistant Roshell Masters.

It is important to the two women who led this internship programme that young women doing STEM degrees participate and reap the benefits of the programme.

“Fostering women in STEM is imperative. As the future looks to the youth for its advancement, all young persons should have an equal opportunity for career development. We are proud to say all our interns delivered exceptionally throughout their internship period and gained valuable experience toward their future,” Palmer-Wright shared.

Danae Treasure, an eDrive intern and engineering student at Caribbean Maritime University, called the internship programme a remarkable avenue for women in STEM.

“The eDrive internship programme is a remarkable avenue for women in STEM to be at the forefront of innovation and technology. This exposure helps break down barriers and dispel stereotypes, showcasing that women can excel in traditionally male-dominated industries. We are given the opportunity to be key contributors in global affairs and missions, such as e-mobility – the push towards more sustainable transportation,” Treasure explained.

Treasure also described her internship experience as life-changing.

“This internship programme has been life-changing. I have gained a world of knowledge not only in my field of marine engineering but also in other areas of engineering, especially electrical. I have gotten the opportunity to build on my professionalism and interaction within the workspace. I have also expanded my network of brilliant mentors and future engineers,” Treasure noted.

“The internship has allowed me to learn from experienced professionals who are supportive mentors. Their guidance and encouragement empower me to tackle challenges and expand my skill set without any hesitation. This kind of mentorship is crucial for women in STEM as it helps build confidence and networks that can prove invaluable in the long run. The experience has not only prepared me for the technical aspects of the job but also for the real-world challenges and opportunities that come with being a woman in this industry.”

In addition, Treasure shared that it feels amazing to know the work she does matters.

“Getting the job done is what I enjoy most about my workday. There’s a sense of satisfaction in contributing to the upkeep of the JPS energy system. It is an amazing feeling knowing that my efforts are helping to maintain smooth operations or, according to JPS’s [Jamaica Public Service] tag line, ‘Powering What Matters’,” Treasure added.

Twenty-year-old intern Roxanne Daley also praised the internship for its role in her personal and professional development.

“This internship has impacted my life tremendously as it has given me both personal and professional development. Professionally, it allowed me to explore a different perspective of my degree. Personally, successfully completing this internship has boosted my confidence in my abilities and has helped me to develop a sense of competence in my career choice. Additionally, I was given the opportunity to network with astounding professionals in the industry who not only gave professional advice but were also able to share valuable life lessons,” Daley expressed.

For Daley, a typical day as an intern consisted of hands-on work and research in her field of electronic engineering.

“My days as an intern were really dependent on who I was working with that week. However, every morning there was an online safety check-in for the first 20 minutes of the workday. For a more hands-on workday I would pass time in the department’s workshop, troubleshooting equipment brought in from the fields, programming devices, or just observing how the staff went about solving issues on the job. However, on other days I would get miniature assignments, and I would spend time doing research on the company’s telecommunications network and the electric vehicle ecosystem of different countries and compare it to what is being done or not being done in Jamaica. Afterwards, I would create a presentation and present my findings to the respective personnel,” Daley detailed.

Project eDrive 2023 summer internship programme began on July 3 and ended on September 1.

The interns for this year’s programme were selected from the engineering, renewable energy, and information technology (IT) programmes of Caribbean Maritime University, Northern Caribbean University, the University of Technology, Jamaica, and The University of the West Indies.