Empowering young women in Information Technology
The Power of Partners
Helping students find their way to high tech
careers
Welcome Parents!
Please find a seat & greet your colleagues
Appalachian Information Technology Extension Services
GSE/EXT Project (0832913)
Objectives
Increase awareness of the Appalachian Information
Technology Extension Services (AITES) project.
Identify hopes, dreams, talents, and skills of
daughters or any young female.
View and apply Power of Partners.
Gain information on importance of your role in the
decision-making process in choosing a career.
Learn facts about Information Technology (IT) jobs.
AITES
Choices
65%
45%
27%
25%
AITES
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AITES
There is a Talent Crisis in
the U.S. Information
Technology (IT) industry.
Gender stereotypes and
lack of knowledge about IT
jobs are preventing young
women from choosing IT
careers.
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Influx of IT industry into rural areas
Job availability in Appalachian Counties
Workforce demands exceed supply
Economic development is needed
Females are an untapped source of IT workers
Students are influenced by supporters such as
teachers, counselors, and parents in making
career decisions.
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There are jobs requiring IT skills in this
community
These jobs may go unfilled because not
enough young people are prepared or
encouraged to seek an IT job
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Stoker
Stoker
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Stoker
Girl
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You
Stoker
Girl
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Stoker
Girl
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Stoker
Girl
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Stokers such as Teachers
Counselors &
Administration Pump and
stoke fuel to move
forward ..Supporting on
the way
Girls ride on front,
steer, drive, and
make decisions
about the course of
their career
journey
The theory behind the goals of the AITES Grant is that girls often get
stereotyped messages or insufficient information about jobs and
careers from their support system (teachers, parents, school
counselors, etc).
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AITES Challenges You To…
Consider the talent crisis in IT in the United States
Consider that IT jobs are available in almost every aspect of
business, industry and government
Consider reasons for the low percent of women who work
in IT fields (25%)
Consider the barriers young women face when considering
IT fields such as: lack of encouragement from stokers, lack
of knowledge about the breadth of IT jobs, and gender
stereotypes
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Know Your Daughters
Using Handout #1
Write down hopes and dreams for your daughter
or any young girl’s future success in school and
future jobs. Circle one thing you hope for the
most.
(2 min)
Write down some traits, skills, attitudes, and
talents that describe your daughter.
What ideas do you have in common?
(3 min)
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Important Roles for Stokers
As stokers, parents play a crucial role in the career
decision making process of your daughter.
Building trust is most important, as is good listening.
To build trust
Let her know you have confidence in her ability to
make good decisions.
Tell her you care and ask how you can help.
Listen fully to what she says.
AITES
The Power of Partners DVD:
Helping Females Find Their Way to High Tech Careers
As you watch the DVD, look & listen for:
1. Phrases and Key words that the partners or stokers used
to communicate with young women
2. Actions partners might take to discover girls’ skills and
talents and promote interest in IT
What are some key words and actions you saw and heard
stokers use on the video?
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Learning the Decision Making Process
Identify goals & a timeline for decision.
Determine what information is needed.
Set limits.
Brainstorm possible options and evaluate each
based on your values.
Make a decision, outline a plan, and implement it.
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Effective Practical Life Decisions
Are based on credible information
Are made after considering multiple
viewpoints and options.
Are consistent with one's beliefs,
values, and identity.
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Support for Decision Making
Acknowledge that most practical life decisions do
not have a single right answer.
Support the process but allow your daughter to take
the lead in the decision making.
Encourage exploration of multiple information
sources and multiple viewpoints.
Take time to listen and help clarify what is important
to your daughter and what she is good at.
Link these job interests.
AITES
How To Categorize IT Jobs
Those who imagine, design, build, and test technology products
and processes
Those who install, upgrade, troubleshoot computer hardware
and software
Those who work in non-technical roles vital to IT field, such as
sales, training, finance, and law.
Those who oversee IT personnel and are responsible for
decision-making related to IT resources and strategies
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Creators
Job Title
Educational Prep
Software developer
AAS Information Systems
Technology; BS
Comp Sci, IT
Web developer
AAS Info Sys Tech, BS Comp
Sci
Software Engineer
AAS, B.S. Software
Engineering
AITES
Local Employers
Maintainers
Job Title
Educational Prep
Database Administrator
Certifications, AAS
Systems Analyst
AAS Mgmt Info Sys, BS
Comp Sci, MIS/BIS
Network Administrator
Certifications, AAS, BS
MIS/BIS
Help Desk
Certifications, AAS
AITES
Local Employers
Supporters
Job Title
Educational Prep
Trainers
Assoc Arts & Sci, BA, MA
in Education
Systems Integrators
Certifications, AAS
Marketing
AAS, BS Business
Instructional
Technologists
MA Education
AITES
Local Employers
Management
Job Title
Educational Prep
IT Call Center Director
B.S., M.S., BIS/MIS
Chief Technology Officer
M.S., Ph.D., BIS/MIS,
Comp Sci, Education
Middle Management
BS, M.S. MIS/BIS
AITES
Local Employers
IT Jobs Activity
Using Handout #3
i.
Read about the IT job assigned to your group
ii. Discuss the nature of the job.
Guided Questions
What requirements would be appealing to your daughter?
Be specific: Salary? Interactions with others? Purpose of the work?
How would the work style requirements of IT jobs fit your
daughter?
Write ideas on Handout #1 under “IT Careers- a fit”
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Action Steps for Stokers
What could you do immediately to encourage you daughter to
practice the decision-making steps as she considers jobs and
careers?
What are some things you could do or say to challenge and
support young females to consider all information as she thinks
about jobs and careers
Write these ideas in Action Plan space on Handout #1
Circle one thing you will commit to doing very soon!
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