Thanks to evryone who contributed to week 2's discussions.

Here are some of the initiatives schools use to engage students in the idea of careers in technology:

1. allowing students to research working in the field of infotechnology, such as: social networks, computer games, the impact of the Internet on society, etc.
2. showing students how midrange and mainframes are programmed and how they are working in companies
3. games company (Rovio - angry birds) as an example of IT-based careers, games developers, etc
4. photo and film studio in school
5. students have a great interest to computer graphics
6. inform students about Open door day in our universities, about IT exhibitions and other IT events
7. excel in mathematical statistics exercises (at the same time promoting the jobs where those skills are needed)

In discussing female students and technology careers, a good comment was:

"I think, all of us know, Ada Lovelace, daughter of great English poet Byron, was first programmer. First programmer was a women!" "A lot of women work successfully in the field of computers now." "My female students have a great interest in IT."

And around barriers to engaging female studnets in technology careers:

1. first barrier is public opinion: "infotechnology is only for men".
2. Some years ago the main direction in education was social subjects: languages and others...A lot of students dream about the profession of translator or lawyer.