MISSION

PATHS is a program to inspire and empower LGBTQ+ youth and young adults interested in careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) fields through storytelling by current LGBTQ+ STEAM professionals, and connection to the resources needed to pursue STEAM careers.

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PATHS offers unique resources to the LGBTQ+ STEAM community including interviews with current LGBTQ+ STEAM professionals to increase visibility, educational grants to remove financial access barriers, and mentorship to provide guidance, support, and community.

PATHS isn't a standalone entity; it's a program under LGBT Tech!

What is PATHS?

Creating visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals working in STEAM & empowering LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to pursue their passions in STEAM fields.

What do we hope to accomplish with PATHS?

Inspire LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to explore their path in STEAM fields.
Create interactive opportunities to bring together LGBTQ+ STEAM professionals and LGBTQ youth and young adults.
Remove access barriers to STEAM education for LGBTQ+ students.
Help LGBTQ+ STEAM professionals pay it forward by inspiring LGBTQ+ youth and young adults to get into STEAM.
Provide guidance on how to creating authentically supportive and empowering workplaces for LGBTQ+ workers in STEAM.

By providing a platform for LGBTQ+ STEAM professionals to tell their stories and share their knowledge, young people will be able to identify with other LGBTQ+ people that inspire them, find connections with them and their stories, and potentially be empowered to embark on a career path in STEAM. Everyone has a unique story, a unique path, and this program aims to celebrate diversity and differences while seeing the power and connection in our similarities.

Why is paths important?

LGBTQ+ individuals are about 17-21% less represented in the STEM workforce when compared to the percentage of the U.S. population that identifies at LGBTQ+.

of LGBTQ people in STEM are not out to colleagues.

of LGBTQ+ STEM professionals report having experienced professional devaluation, compared to 38% of their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts.

professionals are more likely to experience stress from work, minor health problems, and insomnia than non-LGBTQ+ STEM professionals.