Shadows behind the computers

EGEE organized a shadowing day to spur female students to take up careers in the IT field. Eleven female staff from CERN’s IT Department were kept under close surveillance last week, shadowed by female students from the Collège du Léman International School as part of the Enabling Grids for E-sciencE project Gender Action Plan.

The shadowing day was aimed at inspiring young women to think of careers in information technology, by passing on the message that careers in science are open to both men and women and can be rewarding and fun.

The students were given a tour of the ATLAS physics experiment and the CERN Computer Centre, as well as the opportunity for one-to-one interaction with CERN IT staff.

Traditionally, fewer women work in the IT sector; women currently represent 21% of EGEE staff. The shadowing day was held as part of the EGEE Gender Action Plan, reflecting a commitment to reducing this gender gap. Other initiatives include the adoption of best practices and equal opportunity policies for EGEE and collaborating projects.

Wolfgang von Rüden, Head of the IT Department, hailed the shadowing day as an excellent initiative, which may influence the students in what they will choose to study. "Education is the key for influencing what positions are applied for," he said. "In recruitment, given similar qualifications, women and men are treated equally, but if women don’t apply they can’t be appointed. Events like the shadowing day can show that science is a modern and exciting life, and help dispel the myth that the scientists are crazy guys in white coats."

Judy Richards, who works on the ISSeG project in the CERN IT Department, told the visit students of her experiences working in IT at CERN. "Being a female in the world of computing has opened up opportunities—and increased risks. You are more easily noticed—and remembered—so you need to be doing a good job!"

After their shadowing experience the students summed up the day, saying "it was enlightening, we didn’t know about "real" women’s experience within the field of IT. It was inspiring, and we feel like doing the same thing now that we have seen that it is possible."

Teaching staff from Collège du Léman, Rossella Cosso and Ian Collins, were keen to expose the students to a new environment "Our school provides equal opportunities for every student, irrespective of gender, religion, background, whatever," they said. "Days like this help to make our students aware that there is a gender issue in some workplaces. They think about "careers" but don’t necessarily know what that means. To promote a career you have to show what that career is about."

More information about the EGEE Gender Action Plan