10 February 2020

The RDS is hosting the 6th annual I Wish conference, which provides over 6,000 female students with the opportunity to learn about career opportunities in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) over the next two days on Monday 3rd February and Tuesday 4th February. The showcase events are comprised of more than 147 insightful talks and keynote speeches delivered by a host of inspiring speakers thriving in STEM careers, to almost 62 interactive exhibitions and engaging workshops designed to raise awareness of the myriad of opportunities that a STEM career can offer young women.

With less than 25% of the STEM workforce in Ireland being female, the aim of I Wish is to break down the barriers that face young females when it comes to choosing a career in STEM, providing them with valuable information and the confidence to take the next step in choosing a career in STEM.

Since its establishment in 2015, I WISH has held showcase events in Dublin and Cork, welcoming over 22,000 female students with the aim of encouraging and motivating young girls to pursue careers in STEM, so they can be inspired to change the world.

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Tom Brabazon, opened the event this morning, with Newstalk’s technology correspondent Jess Kelly hosting the event as MC. Over the two days students will be treated to a host of top tier keynote speakers such as Anne O’ Leary from Vodafone, Jessica McCarthy from Google BAFTA winning game designer Brenda Romero and speakers from leading STEM organisations both nationally and internationally.

Caroline O’Driscoll, Co-founder of I Wish elaborated, “ Conferences like I WISH will give young women and girls the information they need and show them the fantastic careers within their grasp. Since I WISH was established in 2015, we hear year on year from students that they want a career where they can help other people, or change the world for the better, yet they do not know how STEM can facilitate that. Indeed the latest I WISH survey results revealed that 64% of students state they do not know enough about STEM. I WISH aims to bridge this information gap and give young women the opportunity to explore their potential within STEM sectors. We have also observed the emergence of a confidence gap where girls tell us that they are not confident choosing STEM careers. I Wish is about 3 things - Choices, Chances and Changes - to give girls real career choices in STEM , to give them the chance to participate in the economies of tomorrow, and to give them the confidence to be the agents of change that our world so badly needs”

To learn more about I Wish and how their pioneering work is igniting sparks for STEM throughout Ireland, visit their website at www.iwish.ie.