“Build the future – Girls in STEM” career orientation day for high school girls
The world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics was brought closer to young women through the full-day career orientation event titled Build the Future – Girls in STEM, held on October 17 at Obuda University and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME).
The program’s goal was to demonstrate through inspiring examples and practical experiences that engineering and technology careers offer attractive and accessible opportunities for girls as well. Forty-one high school students registered for the event, arriving from five schools and four cities: Budapest, Érd, Győr, and Kiskunfélegyháza.
At the John von Neumann Faculty of Informatics, participants met humanoid robots, saw a robot dog in action, and tried their hand at robot programming and coding. The afternoon venue was provided by the Budapest University of Technology and Economics: here, students toured the High Voltage Laboratory and the Theodore von Kármán Wind Tunnel Laboratory, and attended career orientation lectures.
The event was jointly organized by the IEEE Hungary Section Women in Engineering Affinity Group and the BME Joint IAS/PES Student Branch Chapter. Their aim is to encourage interest in STEM fields by showcasing female engineering role models and building a bridge between secondary education and higher technical education.
The IEEE Hungary Section Women in Engineering Affinity Group operates under the leadership of PhD students from Obuda University and is a member of the global IEEE Women in Engineering network. The community supports women in scientific and engineering careers through mentoring, networking, and inspiring programs. The organizing team members were: Melánia Pamuki-Puskás, Lilla Kisbenedek, Martin Ferenc Dömény, Borbála Gergics, Panna Zsoldos, and Kristóf Takács.
The BME Joint IAS/PES Student Branch Chapter is a joint student branch of the IEEE Power & Energy and Industry Applications Societies, run by BME students—primarily energy and electrical engineers. Their activities include organizing professional lectures, factory visits, and conferences, with the goal of bringing industry, academia, and the student community closer together. The organizing team consisted of: Zsófia Lilla Bangó, Veronika Apor, András Galó, Regina Török, Jázmin Eszter Szabó, Lajos Dávid Kiss, and Réka Gyimóthy.
At the beginning of the day, participating girls received welcome gifts provided by GE Vernova, Accenture, the Information Office, CLAAS Hungária Kft., Obuda University Nonprofit Kft., IEEE R8 Women in Engineering, Obuda University and the Budapest University of Technology and Economics. Catering was supported by CLAAS Hungária Kft., the IEEE Hungary Section and Fornetti.
The day concluded with a playful quiz where the most skilled participants could win prizes—the main supporter of which was CLAAS Hungária Kft.
The Build the Future – Girls in STEM event proved that the world of engineering and technology does not only belong to the male professionals of the future: among the shapers of tomorrow, there is an increasing place for talented and ambitious young women.
