KCOM visits school to inspire next generation of women in IT

Girls need to dispel the stereotypes of “geeks” coding in basements and embrace the exciting opportunities available in the IT industry according to KCOM IT manager Lindsay Rodgers.

Linsday, who is KCOM’s Head of IT delivery, visited Market Weighton School yesterday as part of National Careers Week to encourage Year 10 girls to think about pursuing jobs in the IT and tech sectors.

Lindsay said that many young women often didn’t consider IT as a career option as it is perceived as being male dominated industry, but she added that it could offer exciting, flexible and well-paid jobs for those willing to give it a try.

She said: “It’s great to be able to talk to the girls at Market Weighton school about IT at KCOM and careers in IT.

“I talked to them about my own personal career development from starting as one of only two female programmers in my department to becoming Head of IT Delivery showing what can be achieved.

“Even though the digital sector is still very much male dominated, there is a predicted skills crisis in the IT industry, which means there are lots of opportunities out there for women to grasp.

“These are well paid, flexible roles and girls shouldn’t exclude themselves from because they think it’s just ‘a job for boys’’.

“I asked them to ensure any decisions they make about career choice are conscious decisions, informed by research into careers and case studies on women in technology - and not to just assume that ‘IT's not for girls’.”

Paul Ollet, Market Weighton assistant head teacher, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Lindsay today as part of National Careers Week to speak to our girls and inspire them to think about a career in IT.

“We are trying to expose all our Year 10s to as much information as possible about what different career options there are available to them - and it’s really important that our girls know what options there are in industries such as IT that they may not have considered before.

“That’s why it’s great someone like Lindsay, who’s already made a successful career in IT, can come and talk about her experiences and what it has to offer.

For more details about careers at KCOM visit http://www.kcomcareers.com