Media Advisory Baker College, area ICT companies welcome 60 eighth graders for first West Michigan Girls in ICT Day April 27
WHAT: The first International Girls in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Day in West Michigan is designed to encourage girls to pursue careers in ICT fields. It is hosted by Baker College’s Muskegon campus and sponsored by area businesses so it is free for attendees.
The event includes speaker presentations and several hands-on projects. The speakers will join the girls in groups to assemble, program and wirelessly control GoPiGo robotic minicars.
Other projects include tearing apart a PC and putting it back together, and making a network cable.
WHO: – Sixty eighth-grade girls from the seven Muskegon County schools identified below. (Originally open to 40 girls, registration was expanded to 60 girls due to demand and generosity of sponsors.)
– Event speakers will be women who have excelled in ICT careers and a Baker College student earning a bachelor’s degree in information technology and security.
– Sponsors are Baker College, cPanel Inc., Arconic and ADAC Automotive.
WHEN: Thursday, April 27, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
WHERE: Baker College’s Muskegon campus, 1903 Marquette Ave.
WHY: Women are greatly underrepresented in ICT fields, and, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, ICT employment is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2024.
Mark Verhoeven, coordinator of the West Michigan Girls in ICT Day and IT program director at Baker College of Muskegon, said, “We are entering the era of the Internet of Things (IoT) where our world is increasingly connected to the Internet – from toasters to automobiles. This change is changing career opportunities, too. Those prepared with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree will be in the best position to take advantage of these rewarding new ICT careers with good pay. And, employers want a workforce that includes females.”
Baker College’s Muskegon campus offers two bachelor’s degrees in information technology and security and in computer science, and an associate degree in information technology with specialties in Cisco and Microsoft.
THE NEWS MEDIA ARE INVITED.
For more information, contact Jan Jenkins, 517.898.2858