In Germany, IBM MentorPlace is showing female students that careers
    in information technology are both challenging and varied, as a way
      of encouraging them to pursue jobs in this exciting field.

        Through the program, IBM female employees in Berlin, Dresden, Frankfurt,
          Mainz, and Stuttgart (with other cities to follow) are serving as online
            mentors for girls in grades 9-12.

             “A huge proportion of girls still favor traditionally female-dominated
             professions and courses of study. We want to start changing this during
            primary education by exposing young women to career opportunities
          outside these classic female domains,” says Dr. Juliane Wiemerslage,
         Director of Human Resources, IBM Germany and supporter of
     IBM Germany MentorPlace.

                   Through the program, each student receives a personal mentor, who provides
            insight into career opportunities and provides guidance. Specifically, the young women
receive answers to their questions on professions, including necessary qualifications and prerequisites. While providing information, mentors also share their own work experiences
within the IT business.

IBM MentorPlace also is implementing new learning techniques that link academic theory with practical experience. For example, participating teachers are incorporating into their classrooms
the topics that their students are especially interested in discussing with their mentors.

The MentorPlace Program receives input and support from an array of sources -- most importantly the Deutsche Ingenieurinnen Bund (German Association of Women Engineers) and the Initiative D21, which is deeply committed to supporting and increasing awareness of IT. An evaluation of the program is being conducted by the Kompetenzzentrum Frauen in Informationsgesellschaft und Technologie (Association and Centre of Excellence). .