Passing the Torch: Inspiring Girls to Careers in Tech

Inspiration is the name of the game, and Cisco is going for gold!

Everywhere you turn, you find Cisco’s people connecting, innovating and driving change to benefit everyone around the world, and Thursday, April 28, 2016 will be no exception.

Tomorrow, thousands of Cisco employees will turn our focus to inspiring the next generation of G round breakers, Innovators, Rule breakers and Leaders. In case you didn’t notice, we’re talking about GIRLs. Four thousand of them to be exact.

Girls Power Tech inspires women of all ages to pursue a career in technology.

Young women from all around the world will be coming to a Cisco campus near you to learn about technology and engage with over 2,000 Cisco employee volunteers with one single goal in mind – inspiring them to see the possibilities that a career in IT can offer.

This effort – called Girls Power Tech, a Cisco Global Mentoring Initiative — is happening in conjunction with the 6th annual United Nation’s International Girls in ICT Day. Day-long learning events will take place at 103 Cisco offices in 60 countries around the world. Events begin on Thursday and continue through May 19. These events will empower and inspire students to pursue careers in information and communication technologies (ICT) through exposure to the Internet of Things, Cisco technology and mentoring by Cisco employees.

Kate Baldwin,a Cisco Olympian, will inspire hundreds of young women as part of Girls Power Tech!

Kate Baldwin, who is a Cisco Olympian and Olympic torch bearer, will be running for the next generation of girls in technology as she carries the torch through the streets of Brazil. Tomorrow, Kate will be speaking to 140 students in person at Cisco’s RTP Campus and to an additional 200 students around the world via TelePresence about her personal journey.

“Growing the number of girls in tech has been a passion of mine since I entered my first Computer Science classroom and realized that no one there looked or thought like I did. Thankfully, Cisco recognizes the importance of this cause and provides opportunities for all employees to make an impact through a variety of giving back activities. It’s basic math and science – we need more technologists, and women are an underutilized resource. Studies show that diversity of teams adds value. There is no debate that we need more women in STEM, the real question is “What are you doing to help?”

In Brazil, Yohansson Nascimento is considered one of the top Paralympic athletes in the world and one of the favorites to earn medals in Rio 2016. Born without both hands, Yohansson learned early on how to overcome difficulties and approach every day with a positive attitude. Tomorrow, Yohansson will speak to Cisco’s Girls Power Tech students in Brazil about motivation, overcoming difficulties and pursuing your dreams.

Yohansson will speak to Cisco’s Girls Power Tech students in Brazil about motivation, overcoming difficulties and pursuing your dreams.

Girls Power Tech will be filled with moments of discovery for these young women. I hope you will join me in helping to make sure that #GirlsPowerTech tomorrow and in the future.

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