Role Models
What sorts of people make good role models?

• Vibrant and dynamic individuals who are passionate about their work.
• Younger women who are able to reflect on their journey with ICTs.
• Past graduates of schools or local TAFEs.
• Year 12 girls who are engaged in senior IT subjects make suitable role models for primary school and middle school students.
• University students who can give an insight into courses, not necessarily just IT degrees, students who are doing dual degrees with IT could also be included.
• Teachers who work with girls and boys and can reflect on their differing approaches within ICTs.
• Role models should either be directly involved with in their industry ICTs (ICT-enabled professionals) OR be directly involved in the ICT industry (ICT professionals).
• ‘Whiz-bang” professionals who can dazzle students with new technologies.

Should we use ICT-enabled professionals vs ICT professionals?
ICTs should not be thought of as a profession in isolation. In today’s world, ICTs are integrated into most other occupations through communication tools and the information economy, to name a few. In fact, it is extremely difficult to think of any occupation which does not use ICTs in some form or another.

Throughout their day, ICT professionals generally perform a variety of tasks which contradict the stereotypical view of ICTs as being highly technical or programming in seclusion. There will always be people who choose to enter technical or design oriented ICT career paths because they have developed a strong affinity for these areas during their school years. However, many ICT professionals enter ICT professions through a diverse range of career paths, or after being exposed to ICTs in their former career. The use of ICT role models from a variety of professions helps to move the image away from stereotypical IT jobs to the true nature of ICT careers. By having a broad range of people, who not only are ICT professionals, but use ICTs as part of their daily lives, can provide both a realistic and holistic approach to ICT careers.

Good role models are usually passionate about their career and want to show others the fascinations of their occupation and encourage others to join in. It does not matter whether these role models are engaged in ICT professions, or simply use ICTs to assist them in their professional lives. It is more conducive, however, to have a mix of both ICT-enabled professionals and ICT professionals because this can show a variety of qualifications and skills which are a critical requirement for those working in or entering the IT industry.

What are some ways to find appropriate role models?
Good ICT role models may not be easy to find. Below are some suggested starting points:

• Local industry associations for females and/or ICTs
• Industry (e.g. Chamber of commerce, cattlemen’s union)
• Local professional people
• Large companies that have local offices
• Local universities, TAFEs and Colleges (approach the IT departments as well as others)
• Past graduates of local schools
• Local / state government departments (e.g. Department of Meteorology, Department of Primary Industries)
• Heads of Departments from other schools
• Committee member contacts
• Professional associations for ICTs (e.g. Queensland Society for Information Technology in Education or local branch of Australian Council for Computers in Education (ACCE), Women in Technology (WIT))
• Use the phone book to find IT businesses/organisations in your community
• Education department sections targeting indigenous areas (e.g. Far Northern Learning and Engagement Centre, Indigenous Education and Training Alliance (IETA))

What expectations are there on role models?
Role models should:

• Empathise with students as being on a path
• Be realistic about what they are doing
• Be honest, open and personal when communicating with small groups of students
• Be able to communicate about what they do in terms that students will understand
• Be positive about the future
• Identify potential pathways for work and study
• Be able to identify unique attributes that females bring to the IT industry
• Discuss / demonstrate exciting technology
• Showcase a range of skills.

Role models should not:

• Be a marketing person, or someone who doesn’t actually use ICTs

How should we go about approaching a prospective role model?
Call first, to arrange a meeting. During the call:

• Identify the purpose of the event
• Give a brief background as to why the event is being organised
• Identify role of speakers (message we are hoping to get)
• Explain very clearly who their audience is, and what sorts of numbers they will be speaking to as well as time limits
• Give a brief outline of the events.

What is the purpose of the initial meeting?
If the role model is previously unknown to you, it is important to meet with your role model after initial contact to ensure that they will be appropriate. If it is not possible to meet face-to-face, this meeting can be conducted using the telephone.

Do:

• Find out exactly what the role models will say.
• Give the role models feedback and suggest changes.
• Insist that the role models tailor their speech to fit the allotted time period.

Don’t:

• Presume that your speakers will be great – you will need to ascertain whether they are appropriate for your audience
• Presume that they are aware of what students are like – they may not be aware of the need to keep students engaged.
  What communication should occur between the local action committee and each role model?
  The following communication needs to happen between the nominated person from the local organising committee and each role model:
• Well before the event, confirm with the role model that they still wish to participate in the event. This will minimise the number of last-minute leavers.
• Have the role model complete a questionnaire about what they do.
• Send the role model a running sheet prior to event.
• Provide and confirm clear directions on where the event is to be held. If the event is to be held on a school or tertiary campus, it may be necessary to provide a campus map.
• Ask the role model whether they require any technical resources for their session.
• Explain to them the format of their participation. For example, will they be expected to participate in a questions and answers session, will they have to give a formal speech, what are the speaking time limits.

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