In celebration of Women’s Day, we sat down with Marni Baker Stein, a visionary leader in the field of online education, to discuss her experiences as a woman in leadership, her passionate advocacy for inclusivity in education, and how Coursera is making strides toward empowering women and underrepresented groups in various stages of their careers and lives. Stein’s insights offer a beacon of inspiration and a call to action for women everywhere to embrace their potential and make impactful strides in their fields.
Could you share a personal empowerment moment as a woman in leadership, and your aspirations for inspiring future women leaders?
Reflecting on a pivotal empowerment moment in my career, one standout experience was leading the charge in conceptualizing and launching an innovative online learning initiative in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. This venture was not just a testament to breaking new ground in the digital education space but also a personal milestone that underscored my ability to steer through challenges with determination and empathy for the complexity of the problems we were trying to solve. This work illuminated the essence of female leadership in navigating uncharted territories with grace and tenacity.
My aspiration for future women leaders is to serve as a supportive role model, doing my best to exemplify that with unwavering commitment and strategic insight, overcoming obstacles and having a positive impact on the world is within reach. I hope to embolden women everywhere to pursue their dreams with confidence, break through barriers, and carve out paths of influence in their respective fields.
What personal passions or experiences have influenced your leadership and advocacy for inclusivity in education?
My leadership and advocacy for inclusivity in education are deeply rooted in my personal passion and life experiences. I’ve been profoundly influenced by my belief and my experience that access to education is not just a pathway to opportunity but a fundamental right that should be accessible to all, irrespective of their background.
Witnessing the transformative impact of education, and the disparities in access to it has fueled my commitment to championing learner and learning-centered education. This commitment is not solely about opening doors to learning but also about ensuring that once inside, every student finds a space that respects and values their unique perspective, fostering an environment where diverse voices enrich the learning experience for all. My drive to innovate in online education stems from a belief in its power to democratise access to knowledge, making learning a truly inclusive endeavour.
Can you discuss how Coursera targets efforts to include underrepresented groups, especially women, in various career or life stages?
The past decade has seen a transformative shift in education due to large-scale digitalization, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a catalyst for redefining how people learn and acquire knowledge. Amidst this shift, online course enrollment has been witnessed as individuals seek to broaden their horizons, cultivate new interests, and enhance their skills, with aspirations of advancing both vertically and horizontally within their industries. Our Coursera data underscores this reality, revealing that 42% of men, 45% of women, and a striking 60% of female caregivers would opt to delay or forego pursuing education if online learning were unavailable.
Although online learning is an effective way to upskill and reskill due to its flexibility compared to traditional education, women still face a wide range of barriers, encompassing financial constraints and familial obligations, which often translate into less time spent on the Coursera platform compared to men and fewer days engaged in online learning activities.
In some of the emerging markets, online learning is a springboard for individuals to achieve more promising career trajectories. A case in point – in a survey conducted by Coursera revealed that roughly one in every three women learners either found a new job, set up a business or improved their job or business performance after taking online courses. It is also heartening to note that 22% of women experienced an increase in their income, with nearly 40% of them reporting a substantial increase of 10% or more. Clearly, online education not only directly contributes to the creation of new businesses but also generates broader economic gains through improved skills and qualifications, thereby creating employment opportunities and fostering economic growth.
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At Coursera, we’re witnessing an uptick in women’s interest in learning worldwide, with a steady increase from an average of 39% in the three years preceding the pandemic to 45% in 2020 and 2021. In Malaysia particularly, enrollments among female learners surged by an impressive 120% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Additionally, there has been a remarkable 3.8x growth in enrollments for Gen AI courses between January and March 2024 compared to the previous year.
With the labor market constantly evolving, driven by digitalization and automation, it is encouraging to see women actively engaging with educational opportunities that are poised to revolutionize their professional landscape. As we commemorate Women’s Day, Marni Baker Stein’s message is a powerful reminder of the resilience and capability of women to lead and innovate in the face of challenges. Her commitment to inclusivity in education and the significant strides made by Coursera to include underrepresented groups underscore the potential for digital platforms to transform lives and careers.
