Career Mentoring
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The Tennessee Economic Council on Women began its statewide
career mentoring campaign in 2002 with a goal to invest
in Tennessee ’s families, its workforce and its future.
The 2002 Census reported that fifty-nine percent of Tennessee
women work full-time, the highest percentage in the East
South Central region. However, only fourteen percent of
Tennessee women have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Twenty-eight percent have managerial or professional occupations,
ranking Tennessee 45th in the nation when compared with
women in other states. Tennessee women earn, on average,
$23,232.00, while their male counterparts earn $32,313.00.
Tennessee has much to earn by investing in women. The future
of Tennessee ’s workforce, families and children depend
on the talent of women today and in the future.
Women are continually opening doors for other women in
corporate boards, upper management, state boards and commissions,
higher education and nontraditional careers for women. TECW
has organized professional women in several communities
to speak to young girls and boys in their community about
their careers. These women share their educational and professional
experiences and offer advice. They offer themselves as role
models to young boys and girls. The Council believes that
young girls are more likely to believe they can graduate
from college, own their own business, or manage a company
if they know a local woman who has achieved these goals.
The Council’s mentoring campaign promotes a wide
range of careers in healthcare, engineering, computer technology,
science, business ownership and more. Our number one priority
is to encourage girls and women to earn a four-year college
degree. As shown in the graph below, education has a significant
impact on a Tennessee woman’s earning capacity. Just
as importantly, we promote careers in fields that pay well
and that are in high demand in Tennessee.
TN Women: Education & Earnings (Source:
Census Bureau 2002)
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