IDENTIFYING FEMALE ROLE MODELS IN TECHNOLOGY OCCUPATIONS

How do you find female role models in technology occupations? There are many national associations for women working in male-dominated occupations - such as Women in Mathematics. Sometimes their local members are willing to be contacted. These associations do tend to be of professional women, although the Tradeswomen's Network, the International Association of Women in Policing and Women in the Fire Service are exceptions. Let's say you've explored these and identified a few role models but still need more. What next?

Well, since there are so few women working in these jobs people tend to remember who they are. Contact the state and local associations - say of auto technicians - and ask if they have any women members they can put you in touch with. Call your local cable and phone companies and see if they have any women telephone installers. Let employers you are working with know that you are seeking women role models - you may find that they are proud to have women working in these jobs and will make an extra effort to assist you. Contact the instructors of the trade, technical and science programs of magnet schools, technical and community colleges, and local universities. For leads, review alumni directories and job placement reports.

Ask your students if their parents are working in any of the high demand jobs in your area - let them know you are interested in both their fathers and mothers making presentations to the class. Ask for similar help from your Parent-Teachers Association, your school board, and of course your local School-To-Work partnership. Run a free Public Service Announcement on the radio or TV asking for women in technology careers to volunteer their time. Ask a reporter to do a feature story on your school's search.

What if there are no female role models in the occupations in demand in your area? Then speak with your male role models about sending the message that these are jobs that women can do too. You can also use videos, vocational biographies, publications and now internet resources that feature women in technology jobs.

Once you have identified some female and male role models what kinds of career activities can you ask them to participate in? Well of course, classroom presentations - and make sure to ask them to speak specifically about salary, education needed, career path and what it's like to be one of the few women working in the job. Also ask role models if students can job shadow them - if their employer is amenable. Mentoring is also important - providing advice and guidance to the student about education and career. Perhaps participating in a Career Day that your school may hold for both female and male students. Volunteering to take a young woman to work on "Take Our Daughters To Work Day." Teaching a class that relates to your curriculum, such as how to read a schematic drawing in a math class. Female role models should do all the same things as male role models.

One note of caution, be careful not to "burn out" your female role models. There are so few women in these jobs you may find yourself asking for their time over and over again. Some ways to prevent burn out are to videotape their presentations for future use, continually work on expanding your pool, and talk with their employers (with their permission of course) about the role models getting release time from their job to make these presentations. This will be especially helpful for women in nonprofessional positions. Your School-To-Work State office or local partnership may also be able to help in this area.