While WIT's primary goal is the advancement of women's careers in technology, we share the concern of many about the future of our industry.  In the past few years it has become apparent that the number of women entering technology is actually shrinking, rather than growing.  In fact:

• Women held 32.4 percent of IT jobs in 2004, down from 41 percent eight years earlier, despite holding steady in the overall workforce.  Latinos and African-Americans are lagging in IT jobs, with their representation in technology way below their representation in the workforce, according to a report by the Information Technology Association of America.
• The United States could lose its prominence in the fields of science and technology because of rising competition for foreign talent, a recent National Science Foundation report says.  America lags other nations in the number of students majoring in science and engineering at colleges and universities, according to the board.

The WIT Foundation began with a vision to nurture the next generation of women in technology.  We recognized that to have an impact, we had to start young, hence Girls Get IT began.  But we also recognized technology careers as a fabulous path to economic independence for young women whose road so far may have been a bit rough.  To this end, WIT On Track is aimed a young women who have completed high school and want to enter the technology field.

WIT On Track is a program that includes mentoring, job experience and ongoing support for young women interested in pursuing a technology career.  The program was launched in 2004 as a 6-week summer pilot program in partnership with AGL Resources and the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention's [G-CAPP] Second Chance Homes program.  G-CAPP's network of Second Chance Homes helps teenage mothers become self-sufficient by providing them with a safe living environment, and imparting life skills for long-term economic independence, child development, and parenting.  The partnership between WIT, G-CAPP, and AGL Resources provided two young women with the support needed to attain economic independence through personal mentors, company mentors and a paid internship.

Plans are now in place to expand the program to more young women whose interest in technology might be sparked by a summer job.  By creating a multi-faceted program that can cater to a wide range of young women we hope to capture even more who may be interested in pursuing a technology career.

Program Benefits

• Paid internship
• Job experience
• Awareness of the types of jobs available in the technical field
• Experience with various types of corporate cultures
• Increased confidence

Mission

To provide job experience, employment, mentoring and on-going support for young women at risk interested in pursuing a career in the technology industry.