Video Q&A: Joel Schwartz on Advancing Women in STEM

Joel Schwartz sees gender equality, not only as a social issue, but also as a math issue in his line of business. With the IT sector changing rapidly, new areas such as big data are creating more demand for professionals from STEM fields and "there are not enough individuals to fill all these rolls," according to Schwartz. "If it turns out that the only ones that are going to fill these rolls are men, we are gonna have very significant deficits," said Schwartz. To bring more women to the sector, change has to start at the educational level.

The senior vice president of global new business development at EMC Corporation explained that women have a different way of interacting with people, which aids decision-making and business in general. "Although I can't prove it, I suspect that better decisions arise," he said. After participating in AS/COA's Women's Hemispheric Network Annual Conference and Networking Event in New York, Schwartz advised young professionals interested in STEM fields to "go for it," especially now.

"My view is that you probably have a better chance of succeeding than a male," Schwartz said. "At least right now there are fewer of you, and companies like ours are very sensitive about trying to encourage more women to come to the technical part of our company, so therefore, you have less competition," he explained.

Get to know the AS/COA Women's Hemispheric Network.