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Expanding Diversity

The NWCET has undertaken several projects and activities to more actively engage and attract women and minorities in to the Information Technology (IT) field. IT has traditionally not been the first career choice for these groups. The NWCET has two innovative projects dedicated to changing perspectives, providing new opportunities, and enhancing the image of IT.

1. Cyber Careers for the Net Generation: IT Educational Video and Accompanying Classroom Materials

   The NWCET and the Educational Activities Department of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) will collaborate on the development of a video on IT careers. This video will provide outreach to several audiences including women and minorities, middle and high school students, re-careering adults and non-IT major college students. The main purpose of the NWCET/IEEE collaborative video is to inform students about IT careers and to attract underrepresented populations to the IT profession.

   The video will also focus on the dual goals of emphasizing the appeal of the profession in the view of younger students (middle/jr. high school) and projecting a positive image of IT professionals. Proposals to fund the video have been submitted to the IEEE Foundation and the NSF. The NWCET is currently seeking support from industry for the remaining funding.

   The NWCET is dedicated to making young women aware of career opportunities in the computer industry. The CyberCareers site has a section dedicated explicitly to girls

2. Collaboration with Expanding Your Horizons: The NWCET has made an ongoing commitment to collaborate with the American Association of University Women by making presentations and facilitating hands-on workshops for middle and high school girls as part of the AAUW's Expanding Your Horizons program to attract girls to math and science careers. NWCET participates in the EYH programs for middle and high school girls held on Bellevue's Community Campus in March that feature workshops and keynotes. NWCET staff have facilitated sessions for both parents and students.  The hands-on workshops for girls familiarize them with a variety of IT careers through the use of NWCET's Cyber Careers video and website.  NWCET also recruits women from the field to present workshops on topics such as multimedia and technical support.