On February 24, another exciting practical project began for Bachelor’s students in the Human Resources Management study program: Together with the MINTality Foundation, the goal for the next semester is to find out how companies can get more girls interested in apprenticeships in STEM fields and then retain them in the workforce.
A business project with social relevance
The figures show how relevant this topic is: Although around 70 % of future jobs are in STEM fields, girls continue to be significantly underrepresented in these areas. At the same time, 69 % of women with STEM degrees later leave the field, often due to working conditions and male-dominated organizational structures and cultures.
And this is exactly where students should take a closer look. Together with six partner companies from industry and technology, specific research questions relating to organizational culture, HR structures, mentoring, role models and retention are to be formulated. Using literature research and qualitative and quantitative research methods, practice-oriented recommendations for action are to be presented in June 2026. In addition, we are looking for good practices and ideas for the long-term retention of young women in technical working environments.
The summer semester got off to a dynamic start with the kick-off of the practical project with Joanna Kowolik from MINTality! Lecturers Gloria Warmuth and Mario Maritschnik will accompany the students’ work throughout the semester and look forward to receiving well-founded ideas for a sustainable and more diverse STEM education landscape.
>> More information about the Bachelor’s program in Human Resources Management