Three years of experience confirm the results of the talent program for secondary school girls run by CETIN Hungary and the Women in Science Association (NaTE). According to feedback from participants of the STEMpowered program, they gained a better understanding of the opportunities offered by STEM professions - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - acquired valuable skills for their future studies and careers, and, last but not least, approached career choices with greater confidence. As one participant highlighted: “I realized which direction my heart is pulling me towards.”

According to respondents in CETIN Hungary’s previous nationwide survey*, communication skills (49%), problem-solving and a project-based mindset (38%), mental health and self-awareness (38%), and career orientation awareness (31%) are the most important areas in terms of personal development. These are also among the areas that the STEMpowered by CETIN program focuses on. In the 2025/26 academic year, the program has supported secondary school girls free of charge for the third year in a row, helping them get closer to careers in technology and engineering.

The talent program is therefore built on experiential and discovery-based learning: participants work in teams and solve real-life problems, experiencing how technology can be used creatively and responsibly, while providing the participating girls in grades 10-12 with a sense of achievement. Experience from previous program years also showed what matters most to students. It is the development of real-life soft skills that receive less attention in the traditional school system. For this reason, the organizers once again placed the strongest emphasis on these areas this year. The girls were able to develop their self-awareness, communication skills and presentation techniques through group sessions, while institution visits and CETIN employees supported them in career orientation.

This year’s program was once again supported by a “class teacher”, who helped build group cohesion and held numerous online sessions for the “class”. Out of the program’s 11 offline sessions, nine were hosted at CETIN’s office building, while on two occasions the girls took part in institutional visits - to the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics of Pázmány Péter Catholic University. The everyday realities of actual STEM careers were introduced to the students by 22 experienced and knowledgeable CETIN colleagues, or “buddies”, through career conversations.

The success of the program was also confirmed by a survey conducted among participants. Their self-confidence increased significantly, and so did their practical skills. Participants reported a better understanding of the steps involved in carrying out a digital project, which they had numerous opportunities to practice during the program.

During the evaluation, participants also shared what young girls need when building their careers: guidance during the admission and university application process, examples of what women are capable of in STEM fields, and positive reinforcement. This is exactly what CETIN Hungary aims to provide to the secondary school girls who complete the program. It is no coincidence that the “living library” discussion featuring female role models became one of the most popular elements of STEMpowered by CETIN.

Importantly, the program reduced participants’ sense of isolation and the feeling of loneliness related to their areas of interest. In addition, the girls highlighted the new skills and mindset-shaping support they received during the program. Participants described these experiences as follows:

„I made friends who are interested in the same things I am. I realized which direction my heart is pulling me towards.”

„I gained many skills, and now I have a much clearer picture of what I want to do.”

„I feel more confident and more creative, and I had the opportunity to talk to so many people.”

*The survey was conducted using Europion’s market research app, with 1,267 respondents interviewed between 6 and 10 October 2025. The results are nationally representative of the full population aged 16–69 by age, gender, educational attainment, type of settlement of residence and region.