CompTIA Newsroom

Partnership to Expand TechGirlz Operations in Chicago

Downers Grove, Ill. — As part of its NextUp initiative to interest teens in tech careers, CompTIA is partnering with TechGirlz to reduce the gender gap in technology occupations. With the help of CompTIA’s $125,000 donation to TechGirlz, the non-profit will hire a Chicago-based outreach coordinator to reach more girls in Chicago.

Studies show that many girls opt out of science and math-related careers and courses in middle school. TechGirlz offers fun and educational hands-on workshops, called TechShopz, around the world as well as an annual Summer Camp to inspire a love of technology in middle school girls. These workshops and camp are designed to help middle-school girls learn about different kinds of technology and maintain a love for technology throughout their careers and lives. TechGirlz enables them to interact with professionals who have carved out successful careers in technology fields as volunteer instructors, and empowers them to be future technology leaders.

“More than 5,000 girls have participated in TechGirlz programs during the last five years. But we know there are many more girls out there who need the inspiration TechGirlz and NextUp can provide to convince them to take a step toward a tech career,” said Charles Eaton, executive vice president, social innovation, CompTIA. “Our research shows that having a personal relationship with someone in technology is a leading factor in teens choosing a tech career. TechGirlz is a perfect partner for us to get our members working with middle-school girls on interactive tech projects.”

Funded by CompTIA and managed by Creating IT Futures, NextUp will work with TechGirlz to bring CompTIA’s members and IT pros to TechGirlz activities as mentors. TechGirlz also will be able to leverage CompTIA’s network to expand its reach nationwide. In particular, TechGirlz is looking to expand its activities in the greater Chicago area and is looking for businesses and organizations to host TechShopz.

"We are excited to partner with CompTIA and Creating IT Futures because we share their mission to build an effective, sustainable path enabling more non-traditional IT workers to enter the workforce,” said TechGirlz founder Tracey Welson-Rossman. "It is incredibly thrilling to expand upon our success with a dedicated TechShopz program here in Chicago that will make it easy for local businesses and colleges to share their IT expertise with middle school girls that want to learn."

CompTIA members and IT pros can volunteer to be a NextUp mentor by contacting Joan Matz at [email protected]. Chicago businesses and organizations that would like to host TechShopz should contact Amy Cliett at [email protected].

CompTIA: Building the Foundation for Technology's Future
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is the world's leading technology association, with approximately 2,000 member companies, 3,000 academic and training partners, over 100,000 registered users and more than two million IT certifications issued. CompTIA's unparalleled range of programs foster workforce skills development and generate critical knowledge and insight – building the foundation for technology’s future. Visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to learn more. 

About Creating IT Futures
Founded by CompTIA in 1998, Creating IT Futures is a 501(c)(3) charity with the mission of helping populations under-represented in the information technology industry and individuals who are lacking in opportunity to prepare for, secure, and be successful in IT careers. Learn more at www.CreatingITFutures.org. 

About TechGirlz
TechGirlz is a nonprofit that fosters a love for technology in middle school girls. Our free, open source technology courses can be used by anyone to inspire curiosity, impart confidence and build community as the foundation for the application of technology throughout a girl’s career and life. TechShopz courses have been taught by volunteer instructors in ten states and four countries to more than 5,000 girls. To learn more or how you can participate, please visit http://www.techgirlz.org/.

Press Contacts:
Lisa Fasold
Creating IT Futures
630-678-8558
[email protected]

Michael Azzano
Cosmo PR for TechGirlz
415-596-1978
[email protected]