Research In Motion (RIM), reveals that nearly 90% of girls aged 11-16 think using technology is cool and regularly talk to their friends about it. Just over a third (38 per cent) of them chat about the latest technology on a daily basis - anything from social networking to online gaming and mobile downloads. Despite this love of technology, only a quarter (28%) of girls have considered a career in technology compared to more than half (52%) of boys.
Over two thirds (73%) of girls aged 11-16 believe that there is a gap between the playground and the workplace because the UK lacks smart female role models in the technology industry. Over half (55 per cent) also think that there should be fewer celebrity role models and more inspirational business role models. This becomes more pertinent with age, with 71% of 14-16 year old girls thinking this. Other key findings include:
• 43%of young people didn't consider a career in technology because it was 'not exciting'
• 30% per cent of young people deemed a career in technology as 'too geeky'
Ex-Tomorrow’s World presenter Maggie Philbin says "We have a huge responsibility to promote positive examples of what women can aim to be. By celebrating talented individuals we not only highlight one person's achievement, we also demonstrate to hundreds of women the fantastic opportunities technology can open up. Never underestimate the power of role models: if young women can see a career path which has been enjoyable and rewarding for another, they are more likely to follow it themselves. It's so frustrating to see teenagers using technology naturally and creatively, seemingly unaware that they could play a key role in shaping the way we use technology in the future. And it's equally important, once they make the decision to work in this area, that they are encouraged and inspired to rise to the highest level."
Reassuringly young people are keen to enter a career in technology but feel they need more support and guidance to do so. Nearly half (43%) of the respondents (boys and girls) said that they would be more attracted to the technology industry if they were provided with more information and help about opportunities in this sector at school. This was more significant among 14-16 year old girls. Pay is also a huge pull factor, with three quarters (75%) of young people saying they would be attracted to a career in technology if they felt there was a significant financial reward on offer.
