The European CSR report is hot off the press, so we took the opportunity to speak with Bernadette Andrietti,Director Marketing Europe, Middle East and Africa and recently appointed Vice President, about her view on CSR and women in technology.
The European Intel CSR report 2012 has just come out. What are the standout achievements you are most proud of in this year’s report?
Every year I continue to be inspired by the role that technology plays in addressing the world’s greatest challenges; both social and economic. One of Intel’s strategic imperatives is to “care for our people, care for our planet and inspire the next generation”. It’s an ambitious objective but one that we care passionately about.
There are three major points here. Firstly, not only does Intel care about our people, but our people want to be involved. For example, through the Intel Involved programme, our people donated 1.2 million hours of service worldwide to more than 5,400 schools and non-profit organisations in 42 countries. In Europe alone, volunteerism increased by 7% to 42% with 15,000 hours donated to more than 200 projects.
Second is around caring for the planet. Since 2008 we have linked employee compensation to the achievement of environmental metrics and this year we have seen a 5% reduction in the emissions from our ground fleet leasing activities in Europe.
Finally, and this is something very close to my heart as both an engineer and a woman, is that Intel is a company really focused on creating, promoting and encouraging the engineers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. We have to have these people in Europe otherwise we will not lead and we will not create jobs or value. It is so important. And so Intel runs many global and regional programmes to celebrate young people’s work in this area. This year, for instance, we had 60 students from 11 European countries reaching the finals of the Intel Science and Engineering Fair, with the overall winner being Ionut Budisteanu of Romania for his work on a low-cost, self-driving car. I think Intel is really working hard in this area and, for me as an engineer, it is critical that Intel continues to help these young people develop and flourish.
Intel does so much work looking to inspire the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs. Do you have any favourite moments from the recent Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and IBC’s?
Having recently returned from the Intel Business Challenge Europe 2013 at the Euro Nano Forum in Dublin, I was simply amazed at the level of talent on display. I was probably most impressed at the ethos that the entrants carried through their projects; looking beyond pure revenue generation to initiatives that use technology and science to advance society as a whole. The five winning teams will now go on to represent Europe at the Intel® Global Challenge 2013 Finals at UC Berkeley in October.
There are numerous stories in the media around inspiring young people – particularly women – to study STEM subjects and pursue a career in technology. How did you get into the industry?
I have always been passionate about those subjects that would now be described as STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – and studied my Baccalaureate degree in maths and physics. I think it is a critical issue for Europe to continue to encourage more girls and women into engineering.
My own journey into engineering is interesting, because it was a bit of a reaction to this idea that engineering is for men only! My father was in the military and I had a younger brother. Father wanted my brother to be an engineer and for me to become a teacher. But I am a very logical person and I enjoyed maths and physics, they were a game for me – I was always taking the Lego off my brother as I was jealous that he had it – whereas my brother was not very logical at all! So in the end I wanted to prove that I could be the engineer and that is how it turned out. And my brother is the teacher in the family…
If you were talking to your younger self, as a woman about to embark on an academic focus on engineering and a career in IT, what piece of advice would you give?
I would urge them to discard any suggestion that STEM subjects are the sole preserve of men and to remember that today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators. The World Economic Forum has found a strong correlation between a country’s competitiveness and how it educates and uses the skills of women. At Intel we believe there are no limits to what women and girls can achieve and we are helping them to fulfil their individual potential to inspire positive change in their lives, the lives of their families and in communities around the world.
I do think there also remains a misconception of engineering as ‘boring’, rather than the exciting and creative career it can be. So what I would say to a young girl looking at this is that engineering can really unleash your creativity, so go for it. And be confident that you are making the right choice. I think girls can and do bring so much to male-dominated engineering teams. We have a different approach, a real emotional connection that often provides a different perspective on the technology being developed.
What do you think needs to be done to encourage more girls and women to pursue careers in technology?
It definitely needs to start with education. It is complex and difficult to explain the jobs available in technology and engineering, and many people associate it with risk and so do not get involved. We need to get better at showcasing the huge opportunities there are for women in technology.
We do believe that by inspiring girls during their school years, we can see a greater enthusiasm and appetite for technology. There is some evidence that of those who study ICT during their secondary level education, many fail to progress these studies to tertiary level or translate their competences into careers. However, if we are able to provide compelling role models for these young women they will quickly appreciate that the sector is not solely for men and that it boasts a wealth of careers that will inspire and reward. I would really like every woman who is an engineer to play a role in advocating these choices and inspiring more girls into engineering.
When educated, girls and women become powerful catalysts for global progress and economic growth. One additional year of primary education alone can increase their future wages by 10 to 20 per cent, while an extra year of secondary school adds another 15 to 25 per cent. Research shows that educated women reinvest 90 per cent of their income into their families, proving that the impact of an educated girl or woman can be exponential and far-reaching.
Intel recognises the major role technology plays in not only improving the quality of education, but also improving access to education. Through programs like Intel Teach, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, Intel Learn and Intel Easy Steps, Intel is increasing its emphasis on girls and women.
If we are able to harness an appetite for technology in girls and young women, I have no doubt that we will develop the business leaders of tomorrow, and that is one project I am hugely excited to be a part of.
The full European CSR report can be read here.
The Global CSR report, published earlier this year, can be read here.