Getting girls to go IT

LESS than 15 per cent of information technology university graduates are women, according to figures from the tertiary education sector.

However, in a bid to redress the gender imbalance in the State’s IT industry, local not-for-profit organisation WIT (Women are IT) will run an IT careers showcase for WA’s school-aged girls with the aim of attracting them to a career in the industry.

WIT spokesperson and Go Girl co-organiser, Loula Papandreou, said the Go Girl event specifically targeted secondary schools girls between year 8 and year 11 and was designed to be a fun, dynamic and informative two days with competition prizes, give-aways and an advisory tradeshow.

Ms Papandreou, who is also Primus Telecom WA State manager, said the female industry speakers would share their unique experiences and offer career advice to girls by providing dynamic and interactive presentations about many diverse careers in technology industries.

Go Girl – Go For IT will be held on Monday March 29 and Tuesday March 30 at Murdoch University.

Premier Geoff Gallop is the patron of the event.

More information on Go Girl – Go For IT is available at www.gogirlwa.org.au