A June 2012 Forbes article titled “Here’s the Real Reason There Are Not More Women in Technology” reported that many young women are unaware of the variety of career options available in the technology field.

Harvey Mudd College President Maria Klawe, quoted in the article, said reasons why young women do not choose tech careers include a lack of interest in technology, little confidence in their abilities at a tech career, and a fear that they would have to work alongside people with whom they would not feel comfortable.

Organizers and participants of the Women in Technology Careers Forum will meet to help reverse that trend on Thursday.

Karen Sirman, the event’s chairwoman and a senior manager with University Information Technology Services, said the forum will strive to expose young women to professionals in technology careers while showcasing numerous different tech career opportunities and their benefits.

“The purpose of the event is to make young women more aware of the potential and the advantages of a career in technology,” Sirman said.

Sirman said the event will consist of a panel discussion, lunch, a career day-style networking session and drawings for door prizes. It is sponsored by ITS, Career Services and national technology companies.

The panel is comprised of eight women who are University faculty members and high-ranking professionals in private industry and state government, Sirman said. According to the event website, panelists will discuss their accomplishments and ways young women can turn their interest in science, technology, engineering or math, commonly referred to as STEM, into a successful career.

Sirman said a central goal of the forum is to encourage young women to examine any interests they may have in technology and consider potential related careers.

“All of these women have been in technology careers and know the rewards,” she said.

Sirman said organizers expect 150 to 200 students to attend the event. Among those in attendance will be students from several local high schools, Sirman said.

“Basically it says we need to work harder with high schools to guide them, and that’s why we’re inviting local high schools,” Sirman said, referring to the Forbes article, which is mentioned on the event website.

Director of Career Services Mary Feduccia said it is important to promote STEM careers as good opportunities to students while they are still in high school.

She pointed out one attractive element of tech careers is the financial rewards they offer.

“The careers available in those disciplines are the highest-paying jobs available,” Feduccia said.

In addition to reaching out to high schoolers, Feduccia said Career Services will be available at the forum to help students create a four-year career plan and talk about steps they can take to prepare for a tech career, like completing internships.

Feduccia said since women represent a minority, they are highly recruited, especially by employers in STEM fields. She said events like the Women in Technology forum are invaluable because they introduce young women to jobs that demand their skills that they may not have considered otherwise.

“Often times, women are not groomed to consider such fields because they have been male-dominated,” Feduccia said.

The forum will take place Thursday in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom on the second floor of the Student Union from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sirman said students planning to attend must register online at lsu.edu/womenintechnology.

Feduccia said a leadership reception will also be held Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. for high school principals, STEM professionals and leaders on campus.

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If you’re going…

Price: free

Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Location: Royal Cotillion Ballroom of the Student Union

Register online at

www.lsu.edu/womenintechnology