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SBA Research is proud to be an active partner of “die IT-Tag”!

On December 9, 2024, the “𝗱𝗶𝗲 𝗜𝗧-𝗧𝗮𝗴“, inspiring women from the IT field dedicated their time to meet with thousands of enthusiastic high and middle school students across Austria. At SBA Research, we are incredibly proud to have supported this one-of-a-kind initiative from its early days, alongside esteemed partners such as City of Vienna, urban innovation vienna, SAP Austria and Octenticity.

During “die IT-Tag”, over 240 role models dedicated their time to engaging with students from 82 schools in 170 sessions, discussing their personal journeys, careers in IT, and the exciting potential within fields like cybersecurity, programming, and research. With nearly 4,200 students participating, this initiative left a significant mark on the next generation, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to work in IT. This innovative initiative, led by SheDigital, focused on igniting curiosity, dismantling stereotypes, and showcasing the boundless opportunities in the tech world — particularly for girls.

Stephanie Jakoubi, Initiator of “die IT-Tag” and Chairwoman of SheDigital, emphasized the event’s vision: “As Marie Wilson famously said, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see.’ This was the guiding principle of ‘die IT-Tag.’ The day aimed to showcase the diversity and potential within IT, giving students the chance to meet successful women who encouraged them to explore new roles and thrive in technology.”

Prominent Supporters and Role Models

Among the notable contributors to the event was Doris Schmidauer, speaker and wife of Austria’s Federal President, who praised the initiative: “During my school days, there were no such programs that allowed role models to showcase their career paths to students. It’s a remarkable development that we can now inspire the next generation in this way.”

Sandra Heissenberger, Deputy CIO of the City of Vienna and one of SheDigital’s patrons, highlighted the opportunities in IT during her school visit: “I especially want to encourage girls to join a future-ready, exciting industry that offers countless career paths.”

Eveline Kasik from Vienna Digital (MA01) added: “I participate in ‘die IT-Tag’ to highlight how diverse, creative, and communicative IT jobs can be.”

Honoring Grace Hopper’s Legacy

The date of “die IT-Tag” was intentionally chosen to coincide with the birthday of Grace Hopper, a trailblazing computer scientist whose work (including developing the first compiler) continues to inspire generations. Her famous words, “If it’s a good idea, go ahead and do it. It is much easier to apologize than it is to get permission,” served as a rallying cry for students to realize their ideas through IT.

A Strong Foundation for the Future

Summing up the event, Stephanie Jakoubi remarked: “The success of the first ‘die IT-Tag’ provides a strong foundation for future events. The insights and experiences gained will guide the planning of upcoming initiatives to reach even more students and promote IT careers.”

The “die IT-Tag” served as a bridge between accomplished professionals, future career starters and eager young minds, sparking interest in technology and offering real-world examples of why IT is for everyone. It was a great experience to show the the girls female IT role models while also showing the boys that women can excel in leadership roles and successfully balance these with family life. We extend our heartfelt thanks to every role model who contributed their time, energy, and passion to inspire these future tech enthusiasts!

Together, we’re shaping the future and empowering the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and IT leaders. Let’s keep the momentum going — because the future of IT is diverse, inclusive, and limitless!

If you’d like to join the next “die IT-Tag”, whether as a role model, a school, or a company supporting role models, we’d be excited to have you participate in this inspiring initiative.

Save the Date – Tuesday, December 9th, 2025 – and register!

About SheDigital

SheDigital is a volunteer initiative supported by over 73 women’s IT networks. Its mission is to inspire and empower more girls and women to explore and excel in IT. A 2023 study by the MINTality Foundation and FH Hagenberg found that 50% of surveyed schoolgirls could barely imagine pursuing a STEM education. SheDigital is committed to changing this narrative and encouraging the next generation to become creators and innovators in the digital world.

For more information and photos, visit: shedigital.at/die-it.

Fotocredits f.l.t.r: Austrian Präsidentschaftskanzlei, Stadt Wien, NMS Payerbach
Translation by SBA.