SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
Microsoft Licensing, GP (MSLI) is hosting a free Microsoft DigiGirlz Day at the local Reno office for girls ages 12-18 on August 19 from 8:30am – 4pm. This one-day event is designed to provide local middle school and high school girls with a better understanding of careers in technology. MSLI is currently accepting registration applications at [email protected].
Microsoft DigiGirlz Day events give girls the opportunity to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops as well as Microsoft product demonstrations.
“My entire career has been in technology and there have been many times when I was the only woman on a technical team or was among very few women in a technical organization,” Cindy Healy, Director of Partner & Field Operations and the sponsor of this event, said. “I expected that to correct itself over time but it hasn’t. As computer technology has improved and made its way into the education system it concerns me that the number of women pursuing technical degrees is decreasing instead of increasing.”
The technology industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. Even though women make up 58% of the U.S. professional workforce, they are only 25% of the computing workforce. (Source: http://www.ncwit.org/scorecardflash )
“Microsoft wants to sell products that appeal to everyone, which makes it crucial for us to have a completely diverse workforce,” Healy said. “We hope that Microsoft DigiGirlz Day events will encourage young women to pursue technological careers and work past any preconceptions that may be discouraging them. I hope that events like this one will show girls that it’s fun to be a ‘science girl’, a ‘computer girl’ or an ‘engineer girl’.”
Microsoft Licensing will accept girls on a first-come, first-serve basis, and there isn’t a GPA requirement in order to be accepted to the DigiGirlz Day event. For more information about DigiGirlz, please visit http://mslicense.com/community/digigirlz/.
About Microsoft Licensing, GP
Microsoft Licensing, GP (MSLI), headquartered in Reno, Nev. since 1997, enables organizations, large and small, to acquire, distribute and utilize Microsoft’s vast array of products, including software, hardware and services. MSLI employs approximately 500 professionals across 22 states and supports Microsoft’s operations for OEM, Volume Licensing, XBOX and Dynamics throughout North & South America. MSLI and its employees contribute to the communities in which we live by emphasizing support efforts for education, youth organizations, diversity initiatives and disadvantaged communities to advance their information technology programs. For more information, visit http://www.mslicense.com.
