IGNITE is an organization of women volunteers who got together some years ago to join forces and tackle the problem of scarcity of women in the technology industry (which is 15% currently). They hope to serve as strong role models and mentors to high school girl students on the verge of making a career choice. Ignite provides various opportunities to young women like organizing job shadows, career talks and field trips to Microsoft.

Cathi, the IGNITE founder, and women from Microsoft, Cisco, T-Mobile, Seattle School District, University of Washington, Seattle Univeristy, Expedia, and The Boeing Corporation pictured along with Washington Senator Maria Cantwell.

More pictures from the event

IGNITE (Inspiring Girls Now In Technology Evolution), an innovative program connecting high school girls with professional women in technology careers, was the 2007 winner of the national “Programs and Practices that Work: Preparing Students for Nontraditional Careers” Award. IGNITE founder Cathi Rodgveller, an SPS nontraditional careers specialist, and technology industry leaders including Microsoft Women in IT, Cisco, T-Mobile, Seattle School District, University of Washington, and The Boeing Corporation, were recognized for their accomplishments at a congressional and media briefing on Capitol Hill July 19, 2007.

Ignite has won the 2007 “Programs and Practices That Work: Preparing Students for Nontraditional Careers” Award.

We have reached a milestone here at IGNITE and created the IGNITE Toolkit. It is a comprehensive guide, full of step by step information on how to start and maintain a successful and joyful IGNITE chapter.

U.S. Department of Education Announces New Academic Grants for Students - High school seniors may now be eligible for new Academic Competitiveness grants, and college students may be eligible for new National SMART Grants for the 2006-07 academic year. Students who complete rigorous coursework in high school or who are pursuing degrees in math, science, and critical foreign languages are eligible for a portion of $790 million in new federal funding for higher education.