80 mentors stand up for young women

For the first implementation of the Swiss TecLadies mentoring programme, the SATW has succeeded in recruiting 80 women from the fields of technology and computer science as mentors.

Studies show that girls often do not have the confidence to pursue training programmes and careers in technology and IT, even if they are talented. The new Swiss TecLadies programme offers girls a comprehensive mentoring programme before they choose a career or course of study.

Getting to know role models

Praise, a personal sense of achievement and female role models are important when girls venture into male-dominated training programmes and professions. The new mentoring programme from Swiss TecLadies takes these findings into account. Mentors accompany the girls for a year and introduce them to the world of work. In addition, the girls can take part in company tours and work together with like-minded people in workshops.

Twice as many girls can take part

The SATW was able to recruit 80 personalities from the fields of technology and computer science as mentors. That is twice as many as were planned for the first programme. This means that twice as many girls can take part in the mentoring programme.

The mentors are all committed women. "I want to motivate my mentee to actively help shape the digital future," says Tanja Regli, computer scientist at passion4IT GmbH, for example. And Dr Sarah Barber, engineer at Windspire, believes it is important to inspire and motivate young people to realise their dreams and realise their full potential. 60 per cent of these qualified female professionals work in companies, 40 per cent at universities or in non-profit organisations.

Girls aged 13 to 16 can still qualify for the mentoring programme until 31 May 2018.