Hacking the Norm: Girls Like Tech, Too
How SAP Software & Solutions is helping inspire young women to pursue careers in tech.
By Kate Morgan (Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategic Partnerships for North America, SAP Software & Solutions)
The SAP Palo Alto office transformed into a workspace for 60 middle school girls on a Saturday this fall. Giving up their day off and getting out of their comfort zones, these middle school students were there for a day-long workshop in computer science and technology – Girlsmarts4tech. The hope? To inspire these young women to pursue careers in tech.
Despite growing career opportunities in technology, fewer women are opting for them. Less than 20 percent of bachelor’s degrees in computer science in the U.S. went to women in 2010-11, falling from 37 percent in 1983-84. Silicon Valley is criticized for having a culture unwelcoming of women that strengthens the notion technology is only for boys. Changing the norm requires that we develop the next generation of women innovators in technology with multiple engaging experiences. This workshop looked to create one such opportunity.
Original source: women2.0
