We know that American girls are avid consumers of technology – almost three in four have smart phones, 88 percent have desktops or laptops, 62 percent have tablets and 70 percent have gaming consoles, according to the Teens, Social Media and Technology Overview, released by the Pew Research Center.
What is disheartening is we don’t see near the same enthusiasm when it comes to exploring technology careers - a loss that metro Atlanta, a top-rated high-tech city, is taking seriously.
Recently:
- Google and Cartoon Network joined forces last month to encourage all children to learn more about coding, using online tutorials that tap Cartoon Network stars like the Powerpuff Girls.
- Girls Who Code, a national non-profit, started its first free summer camp program for high school girls in Atlanta, offering classes tied to robotics, mobile apps and website development.
And next Friday, July 15, Cox Automotive – the 2nd-largest technology company in metro Atlanta – will kick off its first Girls Academy for almost 50 middle school girls, in partnership with Band Of Coders.
Why middle schoolers? Studies have shown that the biggest drop-off of girls’ interest in technology careers occurs between the ages of 13 and 17.
This translates into a bleak future for both technology and women.
By 2020, it’s estimated there will be almost 1.5 million jobs available in technology fields. But at current trend lines, we’ll be lucky if 20 percent of college graduates who hold computer science degrees are women.
As a Chief Information Officer — and more importantly, a dad of a daughter — this is unacceptable.
Our company believes that differences in disciplines, experience, generations and cultures result in a diversity of ideas, which fosters more innovation, better solutions and discoveries. So, as part of our ongoing commitment to Diversity and Inclusion — and our desire to foster a pipeline of women in technology, the Girls Academy just makes sense.
In addition, we need to change the language and actions we employ if we want to be more attractive to girls and women. We can start with what I call the 3C’s of our culture:
1. Curiosity – By far, the most important skill that can be fostered is to ask “why?” By improving how we creatively solve problems, we can unlock everyone’s potential..
2. Creativity – Once the “why” has been asked, now it’s time to figure out the “how.” And with a strong understanding of coding and technology, it’s fun to figure out the myriad of ways that technology can be used to solve the issue.
3. Collaboration – More than ever, technology is a collaborative team sport where the best ideas stand out, but all ideas get better as our teams work together with a range of disciplines and experiences.
All of this truly starts with parents and teachers. So, if you have a daughter who has had a bad math experience early on, encourage them to get back in there and try again. With the right teachers and the right encouragement, many girls will realize that the STEM classes, while challenging, are a lot of fun.
We still have a lot of work to do, but every little bit helps. Be hands-on. If you are in technology, volunteer. If you’re a corporate leader, support a coding camp. If you’re a parent, encourage your girls to explore internships and careers. Help us bring women back into the technology conversation. It truly will change Atlanta and the world.
