ConocoPhillips Mentorship Program Reached 7,000 Students
The Girls Talk Tech initiative has worked to support young women in STEM education since 2018.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Internships
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The ConocoPhillips Girls Talk Tech program has reached 7,000 middle and high school students since it was formalized in 2018. The initiative provides students with hands-on technology training and mentorship at no cost to participants.
Why it matters
The program seeks to educate and empower young women to pursue careers in technology to help build a talent pipeline for the AI-driven economy. This effort addresses a industry-wide gap, as women currently hold only 26% of IT roles in the U.S. professional workforce.
The initiative currently coordinates a global network of over 20 committee members and 150 volunteers. Participants attend multi-day events, such as the Houston GTT Fest which recently hosted 200 students.
The players
ConocoPhillips
This multinational energy corporation provides the infrastructure and personnel for the Girls Talk Tech program.
Billy-Joe Lafortune
A long-time program co-sponsor, she was recognized with the 2026 Super Global ORBIE award for leadership.
Maddie
A former participant in the program, she now works as a cybersecurity analyst for the sponsor company.
The details
Volunteers from ConocoPhillips visit schools to share career journeys and guide students through STEM pathways. The program operates globally in Houston, Bartlesville, Calgary, Midland, and Equatorial Guinea, offering all activities to students at no cost.
Timeline
The Girls Talk Tech program was formalized in 2018.
Billy-Joe Lafortune became a program co-sponsor in 2019.
Billy-Joe Lafortune was named a 2026 Super Global ORBIE recipient in April 2026.
This report was published in September 2026.
Market Landscape
The initiative attempts to solve a systemic recruitment challenge by cultivating interest in STEM before students enter the professional labor market. By investing in a dedicated talent pipeline, the company seeks to improve gender diversity within the broader competitive tech sector.
Students and parents can access free mentorship and technology training without the financial burden of program fees. These initiatives help young women build practical skill sets and professional networks that facilitate entry into the competitive AI-driven economy.
The takeaway
Early mentorship and exposure to technology roles are essential for closing the gender gap in high-tech professions. Interested families should look for local industry-sponsored STEM events to provide students with similar career-path guidance.
Further reading
For more information on youth career development, visit our Internships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CIO.
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