We at HotTopics are committed to providing C-suite leaders with the right platform to connect and engage with like-minded peers. However, in 2022, we began to think about our influential female leaders and how the community can come together to support and nurture girls who want to enter the technology sector. And so, TechGirl was created.
TechGirl is a biannual competition that seeks to accelerate the imaginations, careers, skills and experiences of girls entering or considering entering the technology sector. Girls of school age 16-18 years old, from across England, submit their ideas on how technology can be used to improve schools and education.
Once the final winners have been chosen, they are invited to HotTopics’ flagship technology event, The Studio, where they get to meet with their assigned mentors. Throughout the day the winners will be busy receiving exclusive confidence training from top TV presenter Bridgid Nzekwu to build on their media and confidence skills and help prepare them for any interview, public speaking or talk.
The mentors
Aside from a personalised trophy for each finalist, one of the main reasons girls enter TechGirl is the opportunity to meet and partner with an inspirational mentor, who will be on-hand to offer their mentees valuable career advice, future work experiences and continued support—it is down to each winner how they want to work with their mentor.
Our selection of mentors for TechGirl 2023 include:
- Jacqui Lipinski, CIO & Director of Digital and Technical Services, Royal College of Art
- Deborah Haworth, Director of Information Security, Penguin Random House UK
- Anna Barsby, Chief Product and Technology Officer, William Hill
- Marie Orpen, CDO, The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
- Charlotte Baldwin, Global CIO, Costa Coffee
- Christina Scott, CPTO, OVO Energy
- Georgina Owens, NED and award-winning technology exexutive
- Belinda Finch, CIO, Three
- Joanna Drake, CIO, THG
How to enter
The process to enter TechGirl is a simple one. Any ‘wannabe TechGirl’ will need to submit an idea on how technology can be used to improve schools and education. Creativity and innovative thinking is key at this stage–what is the problem and how can your idea solve it? These ideas can range from creating a digital language software for classrooms to developing prototype models of hearing aids tailor-made for teenagers (these are in-fact past winning ideas!).
Once you’ve put your idea on paper, head onto the HotTopics website and click on the TechGirl page–towards the middle you’ll find the form where you can submit your details and upload your Word document. Video and audio files are optional and always welcome should you wish to convey your original idea in an imaginative way. If you are in need of more information, read through the rules at the bottom of the page.
TechGirl at The Studio
As there are 10 mentors, there will be 10 winners who, once chosen, will join us and over 150 technology executives from around the world at Abbey Road Studios, London, for our main flagship event, The Studio, with the Marketing Leaders Studio taking place on May 15 and The Studio for technology leaders on May 16.
At The Studio winners will be able to meet their mentors and discuss their ideas over lunch. They will also get the opportunity to connect with senior and executive members of the HotTopics community at the venue as well as enjoy a group interview on camera.
Before the TechGirl group interview, the winners will receive confidence training from a top TV Presenter on the day to build their skills, which can later be used to help kick start their career and will make a valuable addition to CVs and UCAS applications.
TechGirl at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
On Tuesday 18th October 2022, HotTopics hosted our very first TechGirl competition. The five winners were announced at The Studio at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium, where they met their C-level technology leader mentors. The TechGirls were given the opportunity to explain their ideas and their views on girls in technology and other similar topics in a group interview. All of the winners expressed their passion for the winning projects and debated how the education system and companies can help encourage more girls to engage in technology. Learn more about our previous TechGirl competition here.
Useful information for parents and teachers
Explore some of our resources and articles on technology and the many reasons why more girls should enter the technology industry. Our own Studio roundtable discussions explore topics ranging from diversity and the future of work to cloud-based data sovereignty challenges. Discover more about The Studio and TechGirl on the HotTopics website.
As mentioned in the rules, schools, colleges, libraries and individuals registering for the TechGirl Awards agree to allow HotTopics.ht to reference the applicant’s name on the website and on other marketing material and to allow HotTopics to use any images for promotional purposes. For example, the five TechGirl 2022 winners were interviewed by the Evening Standard and featured in an article titled ‘Top female tech stars of the future crowned winners of new competition’. You can view the article here.
A summary of the rules
If you’re considering applying for TechGirl, have a look at a summary of the rules here, outlining exactly what you can expect, detailing everything you need to know.
- The deadline for TechGirl 2023 is 7th April 2023.
- Entries can be submitted as written documents, videos or audio files. The word count should not exceed more than 2000 words. Video and audio files have a 10 minute-limit.
- Each application must be original and unique to this competition and must not previously have reached the final of any national or international competition.
- Entries must be made by an England-based school, college, parent or guardian on behalf of the entrant, if the entrant is 17 years of age or under.
- All entrants must be an English student between the ages of 16 – 18.
Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this year’s TechGirl competition! Click now to enter and fill in your details or share this opportunity with someone who deserves to be recognised.
For more information on TechGirl, please visit our website. Alternatively, you can contact a member of our team at [email protected].
