Teen Turn gives a taste of life working at a career in technology
By Aideen O'Flaherty
TEENAGE girls from Pobalscoil Iosolde in Palmerstown and Kylemore College in Ballyfermot got to get a glimpse of life working in technology as part of the Teen Turn programme.
The Teen Turn programme helps teenage girls who are studying in DEIS schools to get practical experience and mentorship for a career working in technology.
Over 30 companies participate in the national programme, which sees schools identifying candidates from their school to be selected for the programme.
Joanne Dolan, co-founder of Teen Turn, said: “More girls from disadvantaged areas gaining an interest in technology career environments through Teen-Turn sets in motion a large-scale opening of minds, that will eventually result in the uptake of courses, qualifications and job acquisition.
“[It will] change the way these neighbouring companies and communities view and interact with one another.”
Each girl is assigned a female mentor who is working in technology at the host company where the students completes their placement.
The mentor provides supervision and support for the student, with hopes that the programme will allay any fears that the girls might have about ‘fitting in’ in a technology environment.
The participants receive a stipend which covers the cost of travel and lunch for the duration of their placement so that no participants are paying “out of pocket” for the experience.
The programme organisers hope that the placements will encourage young women from disadvantaged backgrounds to consider a career in the technology industry.
