The theme for the United Nations International Women’s Day on March 8, 2023, is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, and Cisco Networking Academy is on the forefront of offering training for everybody fascinated about expertise as a profession. At Cisco Networking Academy, our mission aligns with the corporate’s goal of powering an inclusive future for all.
Since its inception 25 years in the past, the cumulative variety of ladies taking part in Cisco Networking Academy (calculated as a % of the entire variety of college students who recognized their gender as male, feminine, or nonbinary) has grown over time, and now stands at 26 %.
Still, we are able to do extra, particularly as ladies comprise almost half of the workforce.
The the explanation why ladies are underrepresented in expertise could also be multifaceted. Whether it’s due to cultural norms or gender stereotypes—the very fact is that expertise touches each facet of our lives. If ladies aren’t higher represented in expertise as all industries digitize, we’re lacking their contributions and improvements.
Positive role-models might assist, and for that we don’t have to look additional than a few of Networking Academy’s personal alumni.
In training
In training, folks like Nancy not solely achieved academically for themselves however realized they may assist others, too. “The skills I received during my time at a Cisco Networking Academy changed my life course forever,” says Nancy. “I am a first-generation college student and found my passion of teaching through being a student of the Networking Academy. I started my career in the IT industry implementing and supporting networks all over the United States.”
“After attending Networking Academy courses, I knew I wanted to be a college professor and make a difference in the lives of others. I have been teaching Cisco Networking Academy courses for over 22 years and have touched the lives of thousands of students and I am forever grateful for this opportunity.”
In India, Matilda has an analogous story to inform. “In 2004, networking courses were highly sought after. It was during this time that I graduated as an instructor for a CCNA course and established a local Networking Academy in IFET College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu,” she says. Now a Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Matilda has continued to assist college students achieve real-world tech expertise which have additionally led to fulfilling careers.
Empowering underserved communities
Other ladies use the chance to assist underserved communities.
Lawanda, from Oklahoma, says Networking Academy gave her confidence and alternatives that she by no means had earlier than. “I used to think only highly intelligent people could work or understand IT and now I’m doing this work,” she says. As an Indigenous American, Lawanda is now, “looking forward to working within the Indian Health Services as a System Network Technician while still serving Indigenous communities to give back to my people, as I’d always dreamed of doing.”
Kutlwano, from South Africa has an analogous story of empowerment to inform. “I have learnt to be fearless as a woman in IT firstly, and to believe that I can be whatever I want and achieve it all,” she says.
“Since 2015, I went from being a Desktop Support Technician, to an IT Administrator, SOC Analyst, Network and Systems Engineer, and now in Risk and Compliance. Networking Academy and TCM Academy was my starting point and opened all those doors for me. This is only the beginning, there’s still more to explore and achieve.”
“My success story also has made other girls and young women see that they too can achieve all they set their mind to and that’s all it takes, changing the world by inspiring and giving hope to more women in IT and to continue being fearless.”
“…that’s all it takes, changing the world by inspiring and giving hope to more women in IT and to continue being fearless.”—Kutlwano, South Africa
As expertise touches each facet of life, we have to see extra inspiring tales like this from ladies in tech and associated fields. According to a report by UNESCO, “women remain a minority in digital information technology, computing, physics, mathematics and engineering, the very fields that are driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution and, thus, many of the jobs of tomorrow.”
The tech-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution might be “a complement to the best parts of human nature—creativity, empathy, stewardship—it can also lift humanity into a new collective and moral consciousness based on a shared sense of destiny,” in accordance with Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. And the world wants ladies to steer and assist form that future.
What actions can we take now?
On April 27, we’ll rejoice Girls in ICT Day, with the theme of “Digital Skills for Life.” Our Cisco Women Rock-IT program will host a spread of inspiring audio system who’re utilizing tech to assist handle one thing essential in all of our lives—local weather change.
Cisco hosts occasions via our Women Rock-IT program, which started in 2014 and has seen greater than two million members with over half enrolling in one in every of our Cisco Networking Academy programs. Cisco workers additionally volunteer to help occasions on Girls in ICT Day in Cisco workplaces, and on-campus at native faculties, schools, and universities.
Our panelists will focus on their work and inspirations in globally-broadcast periods over 4 completely different time zones. Whether you’re already a fearless girl in IT, or initially of your training journey, I’m sure you’ll discover inspiration in these ladies’s tales.
Do you realize a highschool, faculty, college, or group which may prefer to host an occasion? Share this manner with them to register faculties now!
And save the date to encourage younger folks in your life to tune-in. Registrations for the digital occasion open March 24 and free programs will probably be provided to attendees over the age of 14.
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