Project Description
IGNITE (Inspiring Girls Now In Technology Evolution) is a program that grew as a grassroots effort between the Seattle Public School System and professional women working in the high tech field. Entering its third year, IGNITE serves to inspire young women to consider high technology as a positive career choice. In the two years that the program has been active, female enrollment in technology classes has increased by more than 50%. Typically, female participation in the local Cisco Networking Academies at the high school level in the Seattle area was less than 17%. Thanks to IGNITE, those same networking classes have seen an increase of female participation by 35-80% in targeted schools.

Getting Started
Two Seattle area Cisco Systems employees, Maureen O'Brien, Systems Engineer, and Joni Blakeslee, Major Account Manager, are active, vital members of IGNITE.

Maureen co-founded the group as a result of a discussion with Cathi Rodgeveller of the Seattle School System, School-to-Work department. She enlisted the assistance of Joni, and together they recruited more members through contacts at Microsoft and other high tech companies.

Cathi's knowledge of initiatives within the public school system are critical in her directing the program and knowing where IGNITE can make the most impact. The coordinator plays a crucial role and has been instrumental to the success of IGNITE as a result of the fostered communication between the education system and the professional women involved. As a result, IGNITE has become a full collaborative effort between the coordinator, educational participants and professional women volunteers, many from corporations such as Cisco Systems and Microsoft. The number of volunteers has increased from 4 to more than 75, with diverse career backgrounds as: technical writing, web design, network and systems engineer, sales, marketing, human resources, software and systems development. Many volunteers are women who once worked for a corporation and have branched out to start their own companies. All participation is on a voluntary basis, as many women enter and leave the program based on their life schedules at the time. Recruitment efforts to join IGNITE were simply word of mouth - friend telling friend and co-working telling co-worker. Educational participants have increased from 2 to more than 40 and include teachers, Cisco Networking Academy instructors, career and guidance counselors, and multiple technology education representatives.

Strategy
The heart of the IGNITE program is a presentation to young women in grades 9-12, usually in minority rich school districts. The initial presentation is attended by 40 -100 young women. Professional women volunteer their time to go to each high school and offer information about themselves and careers in high tech. Each speaker gives insight into their own background: what path they took to embark on their current career, why they are involved with IGNITE, words of advice. Usually this is the most compelling part of the presentation because many of the professional women had no plan, formal training or interest to enter high tech. An interactive discussion follows regarding the types and nature of a wide variety of careers available in high tech, pro's and con's of working in an exciting but fast paced industry, and steps the young women can follow. This last part of the presentation encourages enrollment in technology classes, especially the Cisco Networking Academies. High School career counselors are usually available to add additional information relevant for that particular school.

The presentation format is easy, low tech and comfortable - designed to put the young women at ease. All questions are answered openly and honestly, including questions about salaries, personal lives, past histories, conflicts regarding the job or with men, fears, sexual harassment, work-life balance, accomplishments etc. IGNITE works very hard to let the girls know that anyone coming from any type of background can be a success in the high tech industry, and that they are in charge of their own success and destiny.

Actual quotes from high school girls:

"IGNITE has opened my eyes to the technology world"
"IGNITE is the best of all the programs I have been to"
"IGNITE made me feel proud about myself as a young woman trying to adapt into the technologies world"
"We are very interested in getting to know more about Microsoft internship opportunities"
"I liked the facts about everybody's life story, it goes to show that you can do what you want to do without being rich or white"
"It is all about what is in your hearts and minds, not only about being smart"
"I learned that I should never give up"
"Tomorrow I am going to the college, so I can…take the course for Cisco certificate"

Projects
The high school presentations are followed by focus groups for girls who are interested in additional information or guidance. Field trips to Microsoft Corporation, job shadowing, internships, web design workshops, mentoring and support is all provided by IGNITE on an ongoing basis. The first All-Day Corporate sponsored conference is scheduled for March 2002.

In addition, IGNITE has participated in the Washington State Business Teachers Conference, Department of Labor 21st Century Workforce Conference, and the Washington State School Superintendents Conference, and its members have been guest speakers at high school career fairs and Cisco Networking Academies. They serve on the Seattle Public Schools Business and Marketing Advisory Committee, work with Washington State High Tech Learning Center Program, and provide guidance on beginning IGNITE chapters in other geographical areas.

IGNITE members convene for planning sessions on a quarterly basis. Topics include: what is working, new ideas, what can be improved, future directions and outreach activities. Future plans include additional corporate sponsorship and participation, video creation, radio and television exposure, and an on-line chat forum. IGNITE is currently pursuing formal non-profit status and hopes to expand the program nationwide.

IGNITE's web site is http://www.ignite-us.org. Many of the high school female students have contributed towards the design and creation of the website.

IGNITE has been recently featured in Seattle area newspapers

Seattle Times editorial, Nov 27, 2001
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ editorialsopinion/134371236_grrled27.html

Seattle Post-Intelligencer article, Nov 15, 2001
http://seattlep-i.nwsource.com/ local/46729_girls15.shtml