The nature of its services means a strong Con Edison presence in virtually every area of the city. As a civic-minded corporate citizen, Con Edison lends its support to community-based organizations that strive to build and maintain stable neighborhoods through quality-of-life initiatives. These include youth and law-enforcement organizations, athletic associations, housing services, landmarks conservancies, and educational institutions.

Con Edison Helps Launch Pilot Program to Interest Girls in Engineering

Con Edison has teamed up with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and a program called "Class Is In" to create a new program, "Bringing Girls into Engineering." Below is an edited version of an article that appeared in a recent issue of the Canarsie Digest:

Bringing Girls into Engineering is aimed at encouraging teen-aged girls in New York to consider their options for careers in engineering. The pilot program seeks to make inroads for girls, who face unique challenges in the fields of engineering and science. The program had its kick-off at the Brooklyn Technical High School, where the program will be based.

Bringing Girls into Engineering is a grassroots initiative designed by Class Is In and implemented through a strategic partnership with ASME and Con Edison. The initiative aims to increase awareness of the opportunities in engineering for girls by making it possible for young girls to interact with professional women engineers. The program provides a support network for female high school students interested in engineering, as well as educates girls about the opportunities that exist in engineering.

At the kick-off event, some 200 female students learned about the many career opportunities open to them from three practicing women engineers from different disciplines within the field. They shared their experiences and encouraged the girls to follow their dreams. Two other panelists discussed peripheral engineering career opportunities and general workforce issues women face.