Accelerating Women's Pursuit of Science-related Careers and Support for Success
Jacquelyn Kingsley, Director of Sustainability, Rexel USA
IWD 2025
I am proud to support International Women’s Day and this year’s theme, “Accelerate Action.”
As a professional engineer in the male-dominated electrical distribution industry, I have long advocated for inspiring young women to pursue careers in math and science. While many believe we should do this to help future generations fulfill their potential—and we absolutely should—there is also a strong business case for nurturing and recruiting diverse talent. Diversity of thought within a team leads to better solutions for our toughest challenges.
When few women pursued an education in engineering, I earned my undergraduate and graduate degrees in industrial engineering. Reflecting on my experiences, I recognize that to “accelerate action,” we must be more aware of and responsive to the unconscious gender bias that can discourage young girls from pursuing interests in math and science. Additionally, gender bias in the workplace can deter women from pursuing careers in male-dominated industries.
To drive progress, it is crucial for leaders of all genders to foster a team environment that embraces diversity in approaches and talents. As a woman leader, I dedicate time to mentoring new women entering the workforce, serving as a trusted advisor to help them succeed.
We also need to accelerate women’s pursuit of science-related careers to support projected growth, particularly in fields such as computer science, data science, engineering, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% increase in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) employment from 2023 to 2033, highlighting the critical need for skilled talent in these areas. Fortunately, the National Science Foundation’s 2023 report indicates that enrollment in STEM programs, including among females, has been steadily increasing.
While it is encouraging that more women are pursuing STEM fields, there is still significant opportunity for acceleration. According to a report by the Society of Women Engineers, women make up about 16.7% of engineers and architects, up from 9% in the 1990s. However, many leave the field within the first five years.
A recent article published by CIO reminds us that women remain underrepresented, underpaid, and often face discrimination in the tech industry.
These realities underscore the importance of action, advocacy, mentorship, and supportive work environments to retain women in engineering and other STEM careers.
I am fortunate to work for Rexel USA, an outstanding electrical distribution company that recruits women based on talent and contributions rather than gender.
Our industry needs more engineers, electricians, and business talent to meet the growing energy demand.
We require diverse perspectives to drive innovations in smart grids, electrification, renewable energy, AI solutions, and data centers.
At Rexel, we further invest in our female workforce through our Women in Rexel (WIRe) group, a community focused on developing and empowering our employees to become the best versions of themselves.
I dream of a future where the average growth of women in engineering, currently around 17%, can double. When my 20-year-old daughter enters the workforce as an engineer, I hope she will find a community with 40% or more women. This can be achieved if we all “Accelerate Action,” an inspirational theme for this year’s International Women’s Day.