Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MathWorks

We believe that to innovate in engineering and science, diverse perspectives are critical. They help us challenge the status quo and arrive at better, more rational solutions. We know, and studies support, that teams are most creative and successful when they include people who think differently from one another, in a consciously inclusive and equitable environment.

“MathWorks has a values-based culture, including the core value of respecting and investing in each other. It’s important, in a diverse staff population, to make sure every voice is heard and welcome. And we know that we derive as much strength from our differences as we do our similarities. We have more work to do, and we continue to build our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts each year.”

Jeanne O’Keefe, CFO and Senior Vice President
Jeanne

How we foster diversity, equity, and inclusion

Building a diverse talent pipeline

by nurturing future engineers and scientists

Recruiting the best and brightest

from all backgrounds

Building a Diverse Talent Pipeline

Nurturing Future Engineers and Scientists

Primary and Secondary School Program Sponsorship

  • Massachusetts STEM Week curriculum (with i2 Learning) for underrepresented groups
  • MIT MathROOTS STEM program and MassRobotics Jumpstart for minority and female high school students
  • Cristo Rey high school internships for students of limited means
  • Zoo New England summer camp for inner city youth
  • Khan Academy SAT prep, free and available to anyone interested in college
  • Extracurricular STEM programs, mentoring, and career days for underrepresented groups in MathWorks communities around the world

University Program Sponsorship

  • Scholarships to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing and workshops in Australia, India, UK, and US
  • Tufts University WiT Conference for women and non-binary individuals in technology
  • National Society of Black Engineers student group sponsorship at Howard University, UMass Amherst, UMass Lowell, Boston University, and the annual Fall Regional Conference (Region 1 FRC) 
  • Workshops and scholarship support at the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) events across college campuses and for the Association for Women in Computing (AWC) 
  • Olga Taussky-Todd tribute lectures at ICIAM for top women mathematicians worldwide
  • Partnerships with HackDiversity and Colorstack

MathWorks and NSBE

MathWorks is partnering with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Boston Professionals.

 

Recruiting the Best and the Brightest

From All Backgrounds

Jeanne

We actively work to attract people of all backgrounds and experiences through organizations such as:

  • Society of Women Engineers
  • National Society of Black Engineers and HBCUs
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
  • Association of Latino Professionals For America
  • Work Without Limits
  • Veterans’ groups

We engage with them through live and virtual career fairs, hackathons, and other networking events. Examples include CodePath and Black is Tech.

We focus on avoiding unconscious bias in job descriptions using tools to screen for bias. Staff are trained to avoid bias in resume reviews and interviews, which are conducted by teams that rationally consider the strengths of all candidates to make qualification-based hiring decisions. Through extensive data and research, we focus on pay equity in the hiring process – regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background.

Ensuring a Culture of Equity and Inclusion

Through Staff Initiatives

Focusing on fairness

MathWorks follows rigorous processes to ensure equitable treatment when it comes to ongoing compensation and career growth opportunities. We perform an annual analysis internally and externally among peer companies to remain fair and competitive.

Empowering every voice

We strive to build a culture of inclusion. For example, the MathWorks design review process is an opportunity for you to get input to refine and improve your work for a successful project outcome. Everyone takes a turn to provide feedback and works together to manage meeting dynamics. We also believe in transparency; we regularly share company financials, strategic plans, successes, and real challenges. And at Q&A sessions with CEO Jack Little, people get to ask tough questions and get frank answers.

Learning and growth

In the spirit of the core value of respect and invest, we put special focus on training. Programs such as Active Listening, Respectful and Productive Feedback, Unconscious Bias to Conscious Inclusion, and Juneteenth history support an open and inclusive culture. Courses also provide guidance through each life stage such as Better Sleep for Parents and Kids and Retirement Planning.

Building connections across common interests

Those with shared interests can connect through staff resource groups. These groups are as varied as our staff members, and include LGBTQ+ staff, Black staff, accessibility, diversity and inclusion, and STEM ambassadors. We also support staff activities that celebrate multiple cultures and populations such as Chinese Spring Festival, Desi Utsav, International Women’s Day, and Black History Month.

Reaching out to the community

MathWorks helps you support the causes you care about through donations and matching funds for BLM organizations, Stop AAPI Hate, disaster relief, and other programs. Through paid volunteer time, staff work with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, MLK Day of Service, Black Girls Code, and Girls’ Angle. MathWorks also provides an annual fund for donations. Staff in each office can nominate organizations and everyone votes on which ones to support.

Around the world, MathWorks hosts and sponsors Women in Tech events with inspiring talks by leaders in the field.

WOMEN IN DATA SCIENCE (WiDS)

GRACE HOPPER CONFERENCE

WE22

TECH TOGETHER

HOPPER X LONDON WORKSHOP

UK INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY