IT is sexy?

Viviane Reding, the European Union's information society commissioner, thinks she has a way to help make up for a projected shortage of IT workers according to IDG News Service.

"We have to convince young women that [Information and Communications Technologies] (ICTs) isn't just for geeks. IT jobs can be very sexy indeed," Reding told journalists at the Commission's briefing Thursday.

According to a related press release, the "proportion of female graduates ... remains low in engineering degrees where only 19% were female in 2004."

Reding is part of a program designed "to do something about the lack of women in IT careers. Together with several leading technology companies – the Commission organised a series of 'shadowing days' to show young women that technology is not at all 'strictly for geeks!'."

As part of a video about the program, Reding says that technology is real magic. "All you need for a successful career in ICTs is a sense of curiosity, and willingness to learn new things, but also a very important dose of courage and a spirit of adventure to face unexpected challenges." When she says it, it sounds easy and maybe even fun.

While Europe is focusing on developing it's own talent, here in the U.S. Bill Gates is arguing that the cap on H-1B visas should be raised. Maybe it should, maybe it shouldn't, but I wonder what Microsoft is doing to attract women to IT careers both here in the U.S. and around the world.

Cisco seems to be a significant sponsor of International Women's Day (last Saturday, in case you missed it) and says:

* Through our Women’s Action Network (more than 3000 employees based in 24 countries) we cultivate mentoring and career development opportunities for women.
* Cisco's Girls/Women in Technology Initiative aims to introduce more female students to technology and inspire excitement in associated careers.

Several Computerworld readers commented on the need for mentoring in response to our article about women in IT last summer. Both female and male readers pointed to the need for work/life balance to keep everyone in IT.

It all sounds good, but what's being accomplished? Has the percentage of women in IT significantly increased? Are tech companies actually making life easier for employees? Is IT an attractive and rational career choice?