The world’s first ever computer programmer was a woman, and even now women are severely under-represented in information technology and in other areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

That first programmer was mathematician Ada Lovelace, who worked on Charles Babbage’s ‘analytical engine’ in the 1800s, a mechanical device which is regarded as the first digital computer and forerunner of the electronic devices we use now.

Dublin-based Verify Recruitment decided to do something about one of the main contributing factors to the low numbers of women entering STEM careers — a lack of visibility or access to female role models in this field — by launching the Ada Lovelace Initiative (ALI).

Now the ALI has reached approximately 3,000 students in 14 counties since the school visits officially began in October 2015. Secondary schools in 14 counties are registered to take part in free technology talks, with further plans for expansion for the 2016-17 school year. Verify hopes the initiative will change the fact that only 25% of employment in the STEM sector in Ireland is made up of female staff.

Genius

In Association with

Lovelace was born Ada King and was  the daughter of George, Lord Byron, the poet, and early on showed a genius for invention. As a child she designed boats and flying steam engines. Her surname, Lovelace, came from her marriage to William King-Noel, First Earl of Lovelace, in 1835.

In 1833 she met Thomas Babbage, who had spent years trying to design a mechanical computer which he called the analytical machine. The idea engrossed Ada and in 1842 she wrote a lengthy set of notes which contained what many agree was the first computer algorithm.

ALI connects female professionals working in technology with Transition Year secondary school students to present to them an insight into working in technology by telling their story. Women from the technology sector tell students about their educational background, their role type and how they chose their career path.

The initiative has schools registered for technology talks in Cavan, Louth, Dublin, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, Galway, Waterford, Down, Wexford and Donegal. Initially launched in Dublin, ALI also recently expanded into Northern Ireland with a visit taking place in Sacred Heart Grammar School in Newry.

Free Talks

Free technology talks will be available for students in Northern Ireland in the 2016-17 school year, with an initial focus on Newry and Belfast for the autumn.

MD Cathal Grogan of Verify Recruitment said: “We are delighted to announce that the success of our first year of the Ada Lovelace Initiative has exceeded our expectations. Our ultimate goal was to reach 2,000 secondary school students in our first year, but by June 2016 we had reached approximately 3,000 students."

There are over 100 role models from 75 technology companies in Ireland registered as volunteers for ALI, from companies such as TripAdvisor, Udemy, Citi and Concern Worldwide, to encourage young women to choose a career in technology.

Siobhan Maughan of IntegratedThinking said: “Having worked in technology companies for the last 20 years, I can really see the benefits that women bring in the workplace and I am concerned at the drop in female applicants in technology courses. I think there is great opportunity for women to really succeed in technology and there are no barriers to leadership positions.

“I felt that the Ada Lovelace Initiative was a way for women, like me, who have had varied and interesting careers in technology to meet with and encourage the next generation of women to focus on technology as a career choice.”

Louise Bernstein, senior product manager at ALTIFY commented: “No matter the career path girls choose – from chemical engineering to organising music festivals – tech will be in the background automating, speeding up, integrating, and uncovering new ways to achieve goals. Yet, less than 30% of women are involved in how that technology shapes their lives.

“I want to encourage more women to sit at the tech table, and be part of that future. By improving the information channels available to directly inspire girls to consider careers in this field, the voluntary role models of ALI deliver authentic career advice and give the students an insight into the real world of working in technology.”

Technology Options

Aideen Croasdell of the ESRI said: “I feel this initiative has the same appeal to young girls in school because they can hear our stories as role models and how we got into technology. This can inspire them to take the same or similar routes and to realise their potential and not to be held back by not trying. It’s important for girls to know that they too can be part of, and benefit, the world of technology and our society as a whole.”

David Coleman, transition year coordinator of Mount Carmel Secondary School, observed: “It is so important for students to hear about technology career options as presently this is area where there are loads of interesting well paid jobs. Employees with certain ‘in-demand’ skills can pick and choose jobs and it’s important to let students know they are there!

“In written form, there is plenty of information available but getting people who are working in the technology area to come in and talk to students isn’t as easy to do. We were very lucky in having the Ada Lovelace Initiative, who arranged for a female software engineer to come in and talk to the students about her job.”

The organisers  encourage technology professionals and schools from all over Ireland to get involved for one school visit this year. Visits are provided free of charge.

According to Róisín Healy of Verify Recruitment: “The success of ALI depends on the participation of role models across Ireland. The only commitment for volunteers is to visit one school each for one hour. With the help of female technology professionals across Ireland, we hope to promote technology careers to over 5,000 TY students in schools across the country in the 2016-17 school year.”

Photo: Róisín Healy with David Coleman, Transition Year Coordinator, and students of Mount Carmel secondary school in Dublin 1