Technology is cool in the playground but not in the careers centre!

Research launched today by Research In Motion (RIM), the company behind the BlackBerry Women & Technology Awards, reveals that nearly 90 per cent of girls aged 11-16 think using technology is cool and regularly talk to their friends about it. Just over a third (38 per cent) of them chat about the latest technology on a daily basis - anything from social networking to online gaming and mobile downloads. Despite this love of technology, only a quarter (28 per cent) of girls have considered a career in technology compared to more than half (52 per cent) of boys.

Over two thirds (73 per cent) of girls aged 11-16 believe that there is a gap between the playground and careers centre because the UK lacks smart female role models in the technology industry who they long to emulate. Over half (55 per cent) also think that there should be fewer celebrity role models and more inspirational business role models. This becomes more pertinent with age, with 71 per cent of 14-16 year old girls thinking this. Other key findings include:

* 43 per cent of young people didn't consider a career in technology because it was 'not exciting'

* 30 per cent of young people deemed a career in technology as 'too geeky'

Maggie Philbin, admired for her role in the revolutionary Tomorrow's World and advocate of the BlackBerry Women & Technology Awards comments; We have a huge responsibility to promote positive examples of what women can aim to be. By celebrating talented individuals we not only highlight one person's achievement, we also demonstrate to hundreds of women the fantastic opportunities technology can open up. Never underestimate the power of role models, if young women can see a career path which has been enjoyable and rewarding for another, they are more likely to follow it themselves. It's so frustrating to see teenagers using technology naturally and creatively, seemingly unaware that they could play a key role in shaping the way we use technology in the future. And it's equally important, once they make the decision to work in this area, that they are encouraged and inspired to rise to the highest level.

Reassuringly young people are keen to enter a career in technology but feel they need more support and guidance to do so. Nearly half (43 per cent) of the respondents (boys and girls) said that they would be more attracted to the technology industry if they were provided with more information and help about opportunities in this sector at school. This was more significant amongst 14-16 year old girls, clearly giving careful thought and consideration to their future career at this time in their life. Pay is also a huge pull factor, with three quarters (75 per cent) of young people saying they would be attracted to a career in technology if they felt there was a significant financial reward on offer.

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Good pay and excitement are the top priorities for young people (both boys and girls) when it comes to their future careers. Interestingly, good pay was slightly more important to younger respondents, with 'excitement' cited by a significantly higher proportion of older respondents, rising from 22 to 32 per cent for girls.

Charmaine Eggberry, Vice President and Managing Director, RIM EMEA and creator of the BlackBerry Women & Technology Awards comments; There is still a lack of understanding about the phenomenal opportunities a career in or associated with technology has to offer. The technology industry and current employees of the sector need to work together to highlight the great opportunities that technology jobs can provide. It is also important to create and celebrate female role models within the technology industry and give young women who are choosing their career paths, access to their inspirational stories. Through the BlackBerry Women & Technology Awards we are encouraging women to enter this thriving industry and are developing the role models of tomorrow.