GLITTER event at Seattle Central encourages high school girls to pursue IT careers
More than 80 young women from seven area high schools will visit Seattle Central College on Friday, Feb. 27 to learn about IT careers as part of a special event called GLITTER – short for Get Launched in Technology through Education and Resources. Now in its eighth year, the half-day event allows participants to connect with women who have built successful IT careers, both on campus and in the private sector.
Today, women are alarmingly underrepresented in science and technology career fields. But each year, Seattle Central’s Information Technology department aims to introduce more young girls to the possibility of rewarding and flexible IT careers by hosting this unique event.
“Right now women represent only about 15 percent of the technology workforce,” said GLITTER organizer and IT Program Manager Lisa Sandoval. “We’re hoping to make a dent in that statistic by showing these girls that careers in IT offer rewarding, lucrative and flexible options for women.”
The event will feature a variety of workshops on technology, working in the IT field, applying to college and the navigating financial aid system, among others, to encourage those who want attend to start thinking about higher education. Current IT students will also offer a day-in-the-life look at what it’s like to study at Seattle Central. During lunch, the girls will hear from a panel of women currently employed in the IT field.
The program is hosted in partnership with local non-profit IGNITE (Inspiring Girls in Technology Evolution). The organization establishes chapters in schools across the globe to connect young girls with female mentors and role models who have careers in STEM fields.
EVENT DETAILS
WHAT: At the eighth annual GLITTER (Get Launched in Technology through Education) event, more than 80 high school girls will learn about career prospects in IT fields and attend workshops designed to encourage them to consider pursuing higher education in technology.
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 27, 2015; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Click here for detailed schedule of events.
WHERE: Seattle Central Creative Academy: 1701 Broadway, 5thfloor, Seattle, WA 98122
ENTRANCE: This event is NOT open to the public. For media inquiries, please contact David Sandler.
About Seattle Central: Chosen by over 16,000 students each year, Seattle Central College offers a comprehensive range of educational programs and opportunities for academic transfer, workplace preparation, basic skills and continuing education in an urban environment. Visit us online at www.seattlecentral.edu.