Technacool – A dynamite day

Technacool is a BBC Future Media initiative supported by BBC Outreach & Corporate Responsibility, trying to help young people find out more about the different jobs people do to keep the BBC’s online content going and encourage the technologists of the future – irrespective of gender. Here, Claire McLaughlin reveals what happened when a group of schoolgirls were invited to learn about IT careers at the BBC.

At the end of January, Technacool took over New Broadcasting House, with 84 girls joining us to learn about careers in IT. With activities taking place across most of the floors, it’s true to say our presence was noticed and we had over 40 members of staff taking part in one way or another to share their experience and advice. The day from BBC Future Media was supported by BBC Outreach & Corporate Responsibility as part of our commitment to promoting diversity in our staff and reflecting all of our audiences.

Six interactive workshops gave the 13-year-old girls a taster of an existing technology role at the BBC, and they all took part in a Tech Tour where they met staff working to keep Radio 1 on air or creating engaging visual journalism graphics.

We heard from Ralph Rivera, Director of Future Media, at the start of the day, who talked about how his career in technology began and the turns it has taken – as well as why he thinks technology is an exciting place to be at the minute. 

At lunch, we were joined by staff working at various levels who networked with our young guests and answered questions – as well as an external guest who came along to talk about careers in the wider technology industry.

Finally, we closed the event with senior managers working at the BBC discussing where they think technology is heading in the next 10 years and tips from their own careers. The girls had some very interesting questions in every session.

Some of the participants were also School Reporters, so they took pictures to feature on the BBC News School Report page – you can see their pictures and learn more about the project teaching journalism skills to 12 to 16-year-olds here. 

It was a dynamite day but an engaging one too and I think we helped the girls understand that technical careers can be diverse and wide-ranging – as well as fun and creative! We understand that technology is constantly changing and brings with it new challenges, so we’re keen to help break down stereotypes of what the jobs are and, most crucially, who does them. The key to challenging the gender imbalance across the IT industry is reaching girls at a younger age and encouraging them to study subjects that will equip them to undertake these careers. Hopefully, Technacool will inspire some of them to think again about what technology means and encourage them to take related GCSE options.

Claire McLaughlin, Head of Interactive Technical Advice and Contracts Unit, BBC Future Media

• Read also Lyn Picken’s blog It's Technacool to make it digital
• And Diversity in Tech: Women in Tech and Technacool