International Women’s Day is tomorrow, and Microsoft wants girls to #MakeWhatsNext

Tomorrow is International Women’s Day and Microsoft is celebrating the day with a new campaign to inspire women around the world to #MakeWhatsNext. Corporate vice president of Microsoft Philanthropies, Mary Snapp, wants #MakeWhatsNext to build upon last year’s campaign and attract more young women to the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The purpose of #MakeWhatsNext Snapp adds, is “to pique their excitement in how they can change the world — if they stay engaged.”

Here’s is the new video that challenges young women to stay in STEM A new video challenges girls to stay in STEM to be better equipped to tackle the world’s problems, whether it be curing cancer or finding ways to combat climate change.

Snapp believes Microsoft and other companies need to “invest time, energy and resources in a number of key areas” to attract more young women to STEM. These 4 key areas include:

1. Celebrate the many contributions women already make.
2. Increase access to computer science education.
3. The technology industry must “step it up,” recruit more women for technical roles, and close the gender gap.
4. Support female inventors.

Microsoft and LinkedIn launched a new experimental tool to promote #MakeWhatsNext and show how young women can pursue their passions in STEM careers. Snapp notes that “research continues to demonstrate that female role models are crucial for inspiring girls to stay in STEM.”

Therefore, Snapp and Microsoft believe it  is important to highlight the new apps, technology, and other contributions that women make in the tech world. Having a role model to look up to will inspire young women to strive to #MakeWhatsNext.