With less than 3% of young female students identifying a career in technology as their first choice, how are we ever going to achieve a diverse workforce and bridge the gender gap that persists in technology careers? But, don’t panic, this can all still change! Learn how even small events can have a lasting impact in encouraging more females into STEM and technology careers and explore how you can get involved to actively make a difference to the diversity of the tech industry.
2. Theproblemweface:
50% AT GCSE
7% IN HIGHER
EDUCATION
Girls outperform
boys in GCSE
science subjects,
with near equality
in numbers taking
these exams
WISE Campaign 2016 study
@gracejansen27
3. Theproblemweface:
24% AT A LEVEL
50% AT GCSE
Girls outperform
boys in GCSE
science subjects,
with near equality
in numbers taking
these exams
After GCSE, the
number of girls in
STEM starts to
diminish
WISE Campaign 2016 study
@gracejansen27
4. Theproblemweface:
24% AT A LEVEL
50% AT GCSE
7% IN HIGHER
EDUCATION
Girls outperform
boys in GCSE
science subjects,
with near equality
in numbers taking
these exams
After GCSE, the
number of girls in
STEM starts to
diminish
By University, just
seven per cent of
women take degrees
in technology and
engineering
WISE Campaign 2016 study
@gracejansen27
5. Why do wecare?
Job Shortages
Greater
Innovation
Better Product
Design Increase inannual GDP
@gracejansen27
7. What isThinkIT?
2 day event (ran twice)
Year 8 girls (aged 12/13)
90+ students from
11 schools
@gracejansen27
8. Why run an event likeThinkIT?
Inspiregirls’ interest in
STEM (fromschool age)
Develop coding skills
Introduction to career
possibilities
Improve‘soft’ skills
@gracejansen27
10. 04/10/16
IT CareersSession
*NEW* Career networking
session
8 female role models from
various departments and
roles
5 minutes speaking with each
role model
@gracejansen27
13. Feedback (Technology)
Howinteresting do you find science
and technology?
Howinteresting do you find
programming/coding?
Pre-eventPost-event
4. Very
3. Quite
2. Not
very
1. Not
at all
@gracejansen27
14. Howcomfortabledo you feel
presenting your work?
Howwell do you feel you work as
part of a team?
Pre-eventPost-event
4. Very
3. Quite
2. Not
very
1. Not
at all
Feedback (“Soft” Skills)
@gracejansen27
15. “It wasfun and it had
really good vibes”
“I loved thisexperienceand hopeto get morein
thefuture”
TheDifferenceWeMade:
“I learnt a lot moreabout theIT world and how
big it is! Thank you!”
“I found it very interesting
and hasmademewant a
career in IT”
“It wasreally fun and something to
treasure.”
“It wasamazing!”
“I’d loveto work
here!”
“I thought I wanted a job inphysicsbut nowI want towork in a tech company!”
“I loved ThinkIT, it wassuper cool and it hasgiven meapassion for programming”
“It wasa greatexperienceand lotsof fun!
“I honestly lovedtheevent!”
@gracejansen27
22. 04/10/16
The Research:
Microsoft’s research saw 11,570 respondents (aged 11 – 30) surveyed across 12 European
countries: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the
Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovakia and the UK.
Teachers and parents were excluded from the definition of ‘role models’ to ensure that the
impact of other types of role models aren’t underestimated. Role models for the purpose of
the study, include fictional (film and literature), real people, and women working in STEM,
such as researchers, developers or inventors.
Looking at the results, celebrities are considered to be the least influential role models for
driving girls’ interest in STEM, while women working in STEM fields are the top drivers, with
the most impact.
2016 Microsoft Research Study:
25. NPS score
Would you recommend this event to a friend?
Result: +37
* First time we have collected for outreach event
Editor's Notes
50% = females say if they believe their work makes the world a better place == appealing
78% of students can’t name a famous female working in technology
83% of female students can’t name a role model who inspires them to pursue a career in tech
5% of leadership positions in the technology sector are held by women
PWC study – Women in Tech, Time to Close the Gender Gap (Feb 2017)
2,000 A-Level and university students shows that the gender gap in technology starts at school and carries on through every stage of girls’ and women’s lives.
3% of females say a career in technology is their first choice
Direct correlation between diversity and increased profitability and market value. Diversity makes business sense
two-in-five UK females who revealed an interest in STEM did not end up working in the field
Microsoft research 2016 study, which showed girls in the UK become interested in STEM subjects just before the age of 11 but the interest drops sharply when they turn 16
A 2014 review of studies performed by the National Center for Women & Information Technology showed, across all industries, that teams that included women were more creative, experimental, and productive than all-male teams.
A 2009 study that specifically focused on R&D departments found that teams with better gender diversity were better at both meeting deadlines and staying under budget.
European Commission, by 2020, shortage of 500,000 digital workers across the continent; fewer than one-in-three of the current ICT workforce are female.
closing the gender gap = add €820 billion to the European Union economy by 2050. (£700 billion)
McKinsey Global Institute, gender parity in the workplace could add up to $28 trillion (or 26%) to the annual global GDP by 2525
More than half (52%) of women aged 11-30, who looked up to either fictional or non-fictional people involved in STEM, said they were interested in getting a job in the sector. Less than a third (32%) of women without a role model said the same.
20% more UK girls said they could imagine a career in STEM if they had a role model compared with those who don’t.
Microsoft’s research has also shown that another vital factor for engaging girls with STEM is the use of real-world examples to spark a passion and interest
Girls cited a lack of female role models
not getting enough practical, hands-on
girls who know a woman in a STEM profession were 17 percent more likely to feel empowered when they engage in STEM activities
Started 2011
8th year this year
Research shows:
-- gender gap starts at school
-- If girls could see the power of technology to transform the world, would they feel differently about a career in tech?
-- need more prominent female role models
Like a startup
strangers– team work skills
Persona – solve a problem
Design thinking
Marketing and Pitching techniques
HTML and CSS to create webpage
Node Red – voting system, more language and logic exposure
Expo – presenting and ”selling” skills
Murder Mystery – more logic and problem solving, just FUN!
Info for this event or other events we run at IBM
General advice on how to run an event or resources available