The National Center for Women & IT is looking for the next generation of female computer programmers and tech wizzes. The organization’s Aspirations in Computing program recognizes teen girls for their aptitude in computers, and encourages and supports their paths toward careers in technology.
Melissa Gould, the University of New Hampshire at Manchester STEM Discovery Lab Operations Coordinator and the co-coordinator for the New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine Aspirations in Computing program, says these young women can be found in our local high schools. The UNH Manchester program recognizes a group of these girls at its annual awards ceremony, scheduled for May 2016. Applications are due on Oct. 26, and Gould is reaching out to local high schools to spread the word about this opportunity.
“The Aspirations applicants are always a diverse and wonderfully talented group of women. Their outside interests range from music to playing video games to building radio controlled cars,” said Gould. Applicants often are involved in programs like robotics or volunteering within their communities to encourage young girls to pursue their interest in computer science. “As you would expect, in school the girls tend to enjoy classes in technology and computer science but many play sports, or are members of the cheer team, or participate in Student Council. I encourage all high school girls who are interested in computing to apply,” she added.
The Aspirations in Computing program serves as a talent development pipeline to increase women’s participation in computing and technology-based careers. By offering encouragement, leadership opportunities, internships and visibility within the community, the program not only helps the participants gain important skills to help them excel in this field, but it also shows the larger tech community that young women can and are actively participating in computing and IT.
Nashua South junior Jillian MacGregor is one of last year’s award winners who has used the opportunity to expand not only her tech knowledge, but to mentor younger students. She first learned about the program at NH Girls Technology Day in 2014. After reading the bios of the other award winners, MacGregor realized she had a lot in common with these girls.
“They had similar interest in technology, computers, and engineering. Each had different experiences, but the one common theme was that they were being recognized and supported for being inquisitive, challenging themselves and looking to develop their interests,” she said.
MacGregor was recently selected to participate in the five-month Women in Technology program sponsored by BAE Systems and last spring was selected to serve as a student STEM ambassador by the NH High Tech Council WomenTech/GirlsTech STEM Ambassadors committee. She has also mentored middle school students at the UNH Manchester STEM Discovery Lab and she secured two AspireIT grants that helped her launch computing programs for girls at the Boys and Girls Club of Nashua.
Tammy Andrew, New Hampshire Chapter President for Computer Science Teachers’ Association, says that interest in high school computer science classes is growing slowly, but that female participation is still at about 20 to 30 percent. She noted, however, that the Aspirations in Computing Award seems to have an impact on its recipients.
“One Aspirations winner from my school won her initial recognition her sophomore year based on her desire to do more than the two classes she took,” said Andrew. “Now a senior, she is casually referred to by other students as the "Computer Science Girl" and is a recognized face at almost every STEM event held by the school. She not only advocates for computer science education but looks for opportunities to share her love of the discipline with younger students, especially girls.”
Gould said this is the exact impact the committee is hoping for, especially when the number of women entering the field as a profession is going down, not up.
“In 2014 only 26 percent of computing occupations were held by women,” said Gould. “In addition the number of jobs in computing-related fields is increasing. By 2022 the number of computing-related job openings is expected to be 1.2 million. We need young women entering this field.”
Gould said having the event at UNH Manchester, and encouraging young women to pursue computing degrees at the school has had an impact on the larger community.
“Women with degrees in computing such as Computer Information Systems or Computer Science & Entrepreneurship who attended school at UNH Manchester have gone on to very successful and high paying careers in the tech industry,” Gould said. “Many of our graduates continue to come back to campus to encourage the next generation to follow in their footsteps. Our hope is to help get the word out to all young women that businesses are looking for women with an interest and a desire in computing. And at UNH Manchester, we can help make that happen.”
For more information about how you or a student can apply to the Aspirations in Computing Awards, contact Melissa Gould, Co-Coordinator, ME-NH-VT Aspirations, University of New Hampshire. Detailed instructions can also be found online.
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High school students are also encouraged to attend a fall open house at UNH Manchester on October 24 or November 5. Click here to RSVP today!
