Igniting Pursuit of Computer Science Careers
Group Works to Draw Young Women to High-Tech Industry
By Carol Ryan
MicroNews Staff Writer
05/17/2002

Phung Nguyen never thought much about taking computer classes. A junior at Franklin High School in Seattle, Nguyen focused most of her attention on science and other courses. Then she attended a meeting hosted by Inspiring Girls Now in Technology Evolution, or IGNITE, a nonprofit program coordinated by the Seattle School District that receives financial and volunteer support from Microsoft.

IGNITE volunteers, including many from Microsoft, visit Seattle schools to talk about their high-tech careers. In the hour-long presentations, they tell their personal stories and discuss the pros and cons of high-pressure technology jobs.

"A lot of girls think that most computer classes are a guy thing," Nguyen said. "It makes girls afraid they won't be as good." But hearing from women working in computing jobs and seeing them use computer programs changed her mind. Next year, she plans to include computer classes in her schedule.

"IGNITE concentrates on girls, so you have a fair chance," Nguyen said. "If you have a question, you don't hesitate to ask."

IGNITE founders were concerned by studies that show the number of women pursuing bachelor's degrees in computer science fields is steadily dropping. Currently, men working in information technology outnumber women 5-to-1, and in Seattle schools in 1999, fewer than one in five of the students in advanced computer classes were girls.

Three years after the first IGNITE presentations were made, girls now make up half the students in computer classes.

Microsoft support of IGNITE began with women like Justine Vick, a senior network engineer on the Infrastructure Engineering team in ITG (Information Technology Group), who was one of the first volunteers to speak to high school girls. Soon ITG management was involved, providing financial support and executive sponsorship. Now more than 20 employees across the company maintain ongoing involvement in IGNITE, hosting groups of about 15 girls from 12 Seattle high schools for tours of Microsoft throughout the year, in addition to other activities.

"At Microsoft, we are fortunate to have the tools and technology to make our work and lives easier. Not everyone has these advantages," said Harry Matthews, senior director of Infrastructure Engineering in ITG and an IGNITE supporter. "The energy and enthusiasm is excellent to see on the faces of the girls while they visit labs or tour the data center."

In March, Microsoft hosted a two-day IGNITE conference for 100 Seattle students. The first day featured seminars on speaking and writing with confidence, interview tips and techniques, and networking. On the second day, students were matched with employees for job-shadowing experiences. The conference received executive sponsorship from Melanie Eberle, general manager of ITG's Worldwide End User Services, and budget from Stafford Mays, a consultant in the Human Resources Diversity group. Two Microsoft executives, Alex Loeb, vice president of Tablet PC, and Deborah Black, then-vice president of the Management Business Group in Windows, also gave presentations at the conference.

IGNITE has executive support from Rick Devenuti, chief information officer and vice president of ITG, which provides boxed lunches and $20 gift certificates to the Company Store for the tour program.

For Mike Edwards, general manager of Engineering Quality in ITG, his organization, and Microsoft as a whole, benefit from involvement with IGNITE.

"Helping others reach their full potential is always a rewarding experience," Edwards said. "I personally was also moved to see the glimmer of light in those eyes as they realized they could be our future and the only limitations they face are the ones we place on ourselves."

For more information, go to http://www.ignite-us.org, or within Microsoft, subscribe to the distribution list Microsoft Ignite. To contact the IGNITE coordinator for Seattle schools, Cathi Rodgveller, e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .