No gender barriers in Information Technology careers:
Dec 5th Girls Get I.T. event opens world of possibilities for local 10th graders
Information Technology (I.T.) is a wide-open career field with lots of opportunities, regardless of gender, yet women are under-represented in I.T. educational programs and the I.T. workforce. On December 5, 18 female 10th grade students explored I.T. opportunities in television through Girls Get I.T, a fun and interactive workshop held at Time Warner Cable's Capital News 9 studios in Albany. The event was sponsored by the University at Albany Center for Innovation in Career Development, the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School and Time Warner Cable, Albany.

"Girls Get I.T. was developed to encourage female high school students to consider careers in Information Technology by exposing them to professionals on-the-job and in real life," said Sandra McGarraugh of the University at Albany Center for Innovation in Career Development. "At the Capital News 9 studios, our group of 10th grade students learned from role models and gained hands-on experience while exploring the I.T. side of meteorology, creative design and the computer, non-linear video editing, and the day-to-day workings of a TV station."

"At our first annual Girls Get I.T. day, young women from Capital Region high schools discovered firsthand why careers involving the vast field of Information Technology can be rewarding and enjoyable," said Hank Stopinski, Director of Career & Technical Education at the Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School. "Our school has always encouraged students to pursue their interests and consider careers regardless of their gender, background or socioeconomic status and to take full advantage of all available educational opportunities. We were pleased to offer Girls Get I.T. as an exciting new venture with the University at Albany and Time Warner Cable."

Visit the blog: http://girlsgetit.blog.com/

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