NGRF - UK National Guidance Research Forum

1. What role can guidance play in encouraging those interested in IT , particularly women, those from ethnic minority groups, those with a disability and those in the third age?
2. How can guidance support and help promote women in the IT professions?
3. Should guidance try to influence gender subject decisions in higher education?
4. How can equal opportunity issues in IT be addressed and overcome?
5. Are career planning and career strategies of particular importance to those working in IT?
   

It would appear to me that the tendency of some IT roles to move towards a higher and higher level of specialisation in a particular array of software or set of skills would require considerable efforts on behalf of the individual to maintain professional development and keeping abreast of developments or risk redundancy in this fast moving industry and the exponential growth of technology. Specialism may bring initial high rewards but may later lead into a professional cul de sac. Career planning in this sector is vital.