The data center industry is racing ahead, supercharged by AI. But technology can’t reach its full potential without diverse minds shaping it.
Innovation thrives on fresh perspectives, and women in STEM bring exactly that—untapped talent, creativity, and problem-solving skills that are critical to tackling the industry’s biggest challenges.
This International Women’s Day (IWD), under the theme “Accelerate Action”, the message is clear: advancing women is not just a moral imperative—it’s an economic and technological one. Studies show that advancing women in the workforce is critical for progress, having the potential to increase global GDP by 20%.
For Vertiv, empowering women in engineering can accelerate innovation to build a smarter future.
Innovation demands inclusivity
Women’s labor force representation has improved in recent decades, with women currently making up 42.5 of the global workforce and 31.7% of senior leaders. However, at current progress levels, it could take generations to close the gap.
This is even more pronounced in STEM fields, particularly in engineering. While women earn over half of all bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees globally, they comprise only 25% of the tech workforce and 11% of executive roles.
The data center sector reflects this trend. Despite the industry’s rapid growth and innovation, women remain underrepresented. The challenges are multifaceted, ranging from a lack of mentorship to limited access to professional development opportunities.
Building pathways for women in STEM
Broader collaboration can pave an impactful way forward. The data center industry can inspire and support women in STEM by engaging with universities, organizations like the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), student-led engineering sororities, and community initiatives (see Video 1), the data center industry can provide mentorship, visibility, and support—essential tools for helping women excel in a field where they’ve historically been underrepresented.
Video 1. STEM Day, hosted by Vertiv and the Columbus Crew, kids, including young girls, a hands-on experience tofferedo inspire interest in STEM careers and innovations.
Vertiv partners with universities and participates in career fairs and events to introduce students to the data center industry, offering hands-on opportunities for career exploration. Career fairs are an important aspect of Vertiv’s university recruitment strategy. The company attends events focused on engineering students, including those organized by engineering sororities, to highlight Vertiv’s work and career opportunities. These sessions, both in-person and virtual, often feature female leaders who provide mentorship and inspiration, helping students envision their future in the industry.
Abigail Walton’s journey with Vertiv began at a local career fair, where she first learned about the company. Starting as a Mechanical Engineering intern, she now thrives as a Senior Analyst in Product Management, driving innovation in product development and engineering.
For Abigail, the role of women in STEM is about more than just breaking barriers—it’s about enriching collaboration and driving innovation. As she puts it:
“Collaboration is most effective when you have people from all different walks of life and experiences. Women play a crucial part in this by offering their specific expertise and how they view the world.”
For aspiring women engineers, Vertiv strives to build a supportive environment where they can thrive. Across the company, efforts are made to connect women with female leaders, offering visibility and guidance. By highlighting the stories of successful women at Vertiv—from recent graduates to seasoned professionals—the company aims to empower and inspire the next generation.
Empowering women to drive innovation
Empowering women in engineering is critical to driving innovation and addressing the industry’s challenges. Vertiv is committed to creating opportunities and supporting women in STEM to shape the future of the data center industry. Explore career opportunities and join a team driving innovation in AI and critical infrastructure.
