Computing and women do mix

Some 50 speakers from 15 companies in the information technology business are descending on 50 girls' schools in the greater Dublin area to exhort the students to, at least, consider the well-paid career prospects afforded by the industry.

This personalised approach allows students time to find out the answers to a whole variety of questions. For instance, one role model says she was asked about everything from how she got into computing, to an average day's work to what she wears to work to how she keeps abreast of new technology. Women are under-represented in the computing labour force but the percentage of women in third-level computing courses is rising, according to Seamus Gallen, academic liaison officer with the National Software Directorate (now incorporated in Enterprise Ireland). Women account for 34 per cent of students in the first year of degree courses while they comprise 39 per cent of certificate and diploma courses.

"These are probably world bests," says a determined Gallen. "However, my target is 50 per cent."

To this end, Gallen identified women with postgraduate qualifications who are employed directly in software development or engineering and asked them to give presentations to final year students. He hopes these role models will provide the students with a real picture of the computing world and the excellent career prospects it affords as well as the opportunities for further studies. Enterprise Ireland is patently worried about impending and current skills shortages. The number of third-level computing places has been increased dramatically to help deal with the shortages but Gallen says `'there is a danger that if we do not increase the level of women entering this sector, then the overall standard will drop."

As to the efficacy of bringing role models into the classroom, it will be some time before the effects can be quantified. Meanwhile there has been mixed reactions to the talks.

Gallen says most of the feedback has been positive. One guidance counsellor waxed enthusiastic saying students who had groaned when told they would be attending a talk about computing were smiling when they left. One student decided to use the CAO change-of-mind form to include computing in her choices while several students said computing was not for them but the role model's job was "great" and they now thought working in the area looked interesting.

But, another guidance counsellor, in a private girls' school, was less than impressed. She says her students did not respond well to the casual dress of the speaker although they were suitably impressed by the salaries on offer. Overall, she was doubtful about the usefulness of the talk.

Companies participating in the programme include IBM, Lotus, Ericsson, Lionbridge Technologies, Iona, Ross Systems, Peregrine, IMS and Euristix.

This initiative complements other efforts such as the role model days organised by the third-level colleges in conjunction with Women In Technology and Science (WITS). Already, this academic year, role model days have been held in Cork IT and Colaiste Dhulaigh in Dublin. WITS was granted £30,000 funding from the Department of Education and Science in November 1998. The association is a voluntary organisation which promotes the participation of women in all areas of science, technology and engineering. The grant will fund the production of a role model booklet for use in role model days in further and higher-education colleges. It will also fund a booklet with 40 careers profiles.

And, if the various role model efforts are successful in inveigling girls into technology, the jobs are certainly there. If the predictions of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs hold true, Ireland will need 2,400 computer science professionals and 2,100 computer science technicians each year up to 2003. Starting salaries have been rising steadily so that degree graduates can command starting salaries of more than £15,000.