NC TECH | MetLife Center for Technology Workforce Innovation

STEM's Next Wave: Passion, Purpose and Payoff

MetLife recently hosted the annual Triangle Tech X (TTX) conference assembling noteworthy newsmakers, inspirational thinkers, and leaders in technology and business to address the essential role women in STEM play in bringing innovative solutions to today’s most pressing concerns.

Prior to the conference, the MetLife team conducted a survey* of what tech professionals and students think of STEM and STEM careers. Three areas rose to the top on what was most important:

Passion: 42% of students pursue STEM due to passion.

Purpose: 49% of current STEM students are motivated by making a positive impact.

Payoff: Strong job opportunities (50%) and better pay (42%) are significant factors.

Additionally, participants shared the following sentiments:

Fresh Perspectives: 80% of college students believe STEM industries need younger generations' viewpoints.

Skills Development: 48% choose STEM to develop valuable skills like critical thinking and problem-solving.

Career Challenges: 26% cite lack of career guidance as a top challenge when entering STEM fields.

Diversity Matters: 24% note a lack of female role models and mentors as a significant issue.

Employer Incentives: Student loan debt assistance (60%) and career advancement opportunities (57%) top the list of ways to make STEM careers more appealing.

Work Flexibility: 54% of students say flexibility in work location would make STEM careers more attractive.

Workforce Innovation

North Carolina is home to a range of innovative programs designed to support and develop a robust talent pipeline. For tech employers, having access to diverse resources for recruiting and training talent is essential for success. Here are three standout workforce programs making a difference in the state.

QuantumBloom QuantumBloom is dedicated to supporting early-career women in STEM by providing the essential resources they need to thrive: skills, mentorship, and a strong community. They also collaborate with companies to create inclusive workplaces where diverse talent can grow and succeed together.

The Diversity Movement The Diversity Movement (TDM) is all about helping organizations grow by creating a culture that promotes well-being, belonging, and trust. They focus on making teams more productive and innovative, which leads to better employee engagement and business results. TDM uses a mix of data insights, great content, technology, and DEI expertise to help leaders build inclusive environments.

reacHIRE reacHIRE helps companies diversify their talent pipelines by offering two key programs. Their Return-to-Work Programs support professionals returning after a career break, ensuring they have the training and mentorship needed to succeed. At the same time, their Leadership Development Programs focus on nurturing and advancing future leaders within organizations.

Tech Careers at MetLife

MetLife's Global Technology Hub in Cary, NC employs more than 2,600 individuals, all working in inviting, collaborative spaces to unite technology, operations, and customer service team members who are driving digital transformation for the organization.

Join the MetLife Talent Community
All Open Roles at MetLife Global Technology Hub, Cary, NC

Featured Jobs

Junior Software Infrastructure Engineer, MetLife

Expense Management Analyst, MetLife

Data Security Analyst, MetLife

Senior Software Engineer, Cisco

Distinguished Engineer, Cloud Business, NetApp

Principal DataOps, AI/ML, BCBS NC

NC TECH Job Board

Insights from MetLife

Meet the diverse individuals who power MetLife's tech landscape, exploring their stories, passions, and contributions. Alongside these humanizing insights, gain valuable perspectives on the future of technology with thought-provoking editorials and articles penned by MetLife leaders.

Innovating with Purpose; Creating Solutions that Matter; Naren Peri

Behind the Firewall: MetLife's CISO's Take on the Cyber Evolution and Future Workforce, Dan Antilley

Tech Talent Programming

Join Andrey Tapekha, Chief Technology Officer at Deutsche Bank, as he shares the power of peer-to-peer learning in the workplace. This webinar will showcase how developer-driven training initiatives have been impactful at the bank and play a key role in the organization's learning culture.

Learn how this approach could be implemented at your organization to foster innovation, improve employee engagement, and help bridge critical skill gaps.

12/12/24 @ 11:00 AM

Learn More

NC TECH is hosting Lean In Circles where women can connect in a supportive environment! Circles are small groups where women from different roles come together for peer mentorship, networking, and skill development. Whether you're facing challenges in your career or looking for encouragement, your Circle can provide the support you need to thrive.

Join us to build a strong community that tackles gender bias and fosters leadership skills!

Deadline to join is December 13th.

Join a Circle

MetLife's 2024 Triangle Tech X Conference focused on The Disruption Advantage: Powering Inclusion and Innovation in STEM. To keep the momentum going, join the MetLife TTX Community group on LinkedIn.

Also, check out the latest edition of TTX Talks, MetLife’s quarterly interview series with STEM leaders. The newest episode explores Discovery, Creativity, and Disruption in STEM, emphasizing the vital role of role models in diversifying the field.

MetLife TTX Community

IT Job + Wage Data

Did you know NC TECH produces a monthly IT Job Trends Dashboard? The dashboard offers a snapshot of IT job postings with a 13-month chart that visualizes job opening trends over the past year, with an extended view covering the last five years. The dashboard also includes lists of top job titles, in-demand skills, leading hiring companies, and wage rates. Leveraging data from Lightcast, this dashboard is designed to offer valuable insights to both tech employers and professionals as they evaluate the employment.

IT Job Trends Dashboard

Center for Technology Workforce Innovation

NC TECH has joined forces with MetLife to establish the Center for Technology Workforce Innovation, a unique partnership designed to serve as a hub for the state’s tech employers and employees providing resources, thought leadership, and collaboration with the overarching goal of fostering growth and vitality in North Carolina’s technology sector.

Read the Media Release on the NC TECH | MetLife Partnership

For expanded news, events and resources, visit the Center for Technology Workforce Innovation webpage.

*Survey Details: The survey was run in August 2024 among 2,000 women and men in the U.S. workforce with a focus on women in STEM (total: 300) and college/university students (total: 250). The sample is representative of age, ethnicity, and region. An additional STEM employer survey (300) provides comparison points and identifies gaps against employee expectations.

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