Industry Professional Stokes Students’ Interest in IT Careers

Fran Mauney spent several years teaching first and second grade classes in the Greenville County, SC school district before educational technology put her on a similar, yet different career path. As a faculty member at Paris Elementary School in 2000, her life changed after she and three teammates decided to apply for a technology grant to boost their instructional capabilities.

Fran, an education practice leader representing Intel Education at SYNNEX Corporation, saw IT as an education-enabler, bringing new opportunities to her students and their classrooms. “Imagine first graders having laptops in their hands 16 years ago. It was very forward thinking at that time and our school won several awards from the state department of education for the innovative use of technology.” Their efforts lead to new opportunities inside and outside the classroom, even partnering with their local Paris Mountain State Park to conduct scientific experiments and gather data.

Teachers used the technology to create projects and track statistics, connecting nature with computer science and encouraging kids to think more creatively about what technology could do. “We developed curriculum with the park rangers and we worked closely to ensure we were meeting educational standards and objectives. Today, hundreds of students come for this type of learning experience and the program helped in many ways to rejuvenate the park.”

In 2008, Fran left the classroom to serve as an instructional technology facilitator for Title 1 schools (program designed to close the achievement gap between low-income and other students). “I trained teachers as well as students on how to use technology.” Her responsibilities included instruction on everything from interactive boards and digital textbook usage to building websites and creating blogs. She took her technology education passion even further, serving as an adjunct college professor for the College of Charleston, training teachers on the latest innovations. “Education students could earn graduate credit and technology proficiency credit after they took my class. I designed the curriculum and was able to teach the classes here in Greenville.”

Tech Professionals Can Still Be Educators
Almost two years ago, Fran took her classroom and technology education experience in a different direction: she joined the SYNNEX team. The distributor was hiring educators and technology liaisons to bolster its education vertical practice, understanding the value those with classroom experience would bring to the role. Their approach to selling in these situations is truly unique. For example, Fran helps SYNNEX’s partners better understand the needs of schools and how to design solutions that address specific educational requirements. She teaches on a different level today, speaking at industry conferences and consulting with partners.

But Fran still loves to inspire students and is thankful her company is quite supportive of her passion and her efforts. “We recently hosted a technology showcase for local college education majors, including three busloads of university students and faculty. We set up 10 learning stations (hands-on demos) so they could experience the technology that will be available when they graduate. When they do get out into the schools, they’ll be aware of what is or what is not there, including everything from virtual and augmented reality solutions to 3-D printers.”

Outside her workday, Fran is involved in similar academic activities. She volunteers for Mentor Upstate, working with some of the Title 1 schools she used to teach at. “I coordinate my time with their guidance counselors and focus time on underprivileged children and those who need a little extra care.”

It was that experience that lead Fran to CompTIA. “[One school’s guidance counselor] asked if I would speak to the fourth and fifth grade students about my career. “I had done some collaboration with CompTIA earlier related to a message to educators and had a chance to see some of the association’s tech curriculum. I loved what I saw.”

The school approved Fran’s request to use the presentation created by the CompTIA Advancing Women in IT Community. In addition to the CompTIA presentation, she included a video about girls and science and information about SYNNEX so she could share what she and the company do.

“From that point, all I had to do was talk. I went through the CompTIA presentation. It starts by asking them to picture a technology worker and they close their eyes and image. Then I shared the different images on the CompTIA slides. We talked about their ideas and brainstormed all the different jobs they could have in the IT industry."

The presentation is applicable to all kids, but it does emphasize that technology (and science in general) is not just for boys. After the first section, I told the students I really want to focus on the girls for a minute and asked ‘how many of you like science?’ A few of them raised their hands. How many of you like to design and create and explore? Then they all raised their hands. I emphasized how important it was for them to keep their interest in those things and that those fields are not just for boys.”

The presentation encouraged the sharing of ideas, and Fran was excited by what she heard. “The girls started telling me about how they enjoy coding, gaming and creating websites and other designs. I asked them to write down all their ideas to share with administrators and my teammates. I represent Intel at SYNNEX and report students’ responses to them. I share these ideas with whoever I’m working with and people get inspired by what students have to say about technology.”

Inspiring Others Has Its Own Personal Rewards
Everyone in the IT industry can do what Fran did on career day. Perhaps not to her high level of educational expertise, but with the CompTIA AWIT presentation in hand and a little preparation, you too can inspire kids to pursue a tech (or STEM) career. Just reach out to the local guidance counselors and offer up your time to help. Share the slide deck and your reason for wanting to help. “I have seen the difference technology can make in the lives of students and educators and I like to share that information with others so they can go out and make a similar difference. I encourage others to be confident they can take the CompTIA presentation to their local schools and have similarly inspiring conversations.”

These activities have many rewards and you may find some surprising things when you visit local elementary, middle or high schools. Fran certainly did. “I discovered that one of the girls had developed a robot she had programmed to move. Almost every class of third, fourth and fifth graders has kids (including many girls) that are already coding. They are very interested in inventions and design thinking, and I got a lot of great ideas from them. This experience made me cry, I just loved doing it. I was inspired and motivated just seeing how passionate kids were about learning and using technology. It was very rewarding.”

Interested in inspiring girls (or kids in general) to consider careers in IT? Check out the presentation yourself and consider joining the workforce development conversation in the AWIT Community. Fran also welcomes tech professionals to follow her personal Twitter account, where she shares thoughts and information with teachers and educators.