Tekniksprånget alumnus nominated for Tech Girl of the Year

Congratulations on the nomination! What does it mean to you?

Thank you! Above all, it means that I can end up in more contexts where I can continue to work on the issue of more girls and young people in general opening their eyes to technology and engineering professions. I believe in starting early, inspiring and giving better insight into what you can actually do if you choose a technical path. We need concrete examples. At the same time, there is a lot of pressure on students to understand an industry that is developing so quickly. Therefore, we also need to support SYV, the school and also politics. It is a holistic problem.

The nomination gives me the opportunity to continue working with what I am passionate about. And contexts like this – interviews and the like – also mean that I can show high school and high school girls here in the area that it is possible, even as a northerner, to be noticed by a large company.

This award is to inspire more girls to choose a technical path. Do you feel like a role model?

I feel maybe a little more like a big sister to these girls. I work both to create a safe context where they have the opportunity to ask the questions they have, but also a little bit with cultural issues and the like to pave the way a little extra for them.

Then I definitely hope that they feel inspired by the fact that you can really do what you dream of doing.

So what does it take to get more girls to dare to take the step into technology?

I think it is a large part of the commitment of the business community. I think we need to see more of that.

Who wants to study something that is also considered difficult for eight years if you don't have an understanding of what comes next? I think that Tekniksprånget has been, for me, very, very important and a big reason why I have an understanding of what an engineer is. Unfortunately, not everyone has the opportunity to do Tekniksprånget, so then I think you need microdoses through the education to understand when the concept of engineering is so broad.

Many adults – seven, parents and teachers – can advise against nature or civil engineering because it is "too difficult". What do you think about that?

It's sad that this label exists. I have dyslexia myself and would have gone crazy to attend a social program where you mostly write texts. For me, technology is the right way and it's not more difficult than any other education if you like it. Parents should not project their own fear of maths onto their children. Many people who think technology is fun still choose economics "because it's easier", but why should technology be harder?

Now Glimtin is also running. Can you tell me what it is?

I have worked a lot voluntarily with this issue but realized that it does not last in the long term. So I started Glimt In as a bridge between different actors – politicians, schools, business and more. This is a social issue. We build networks for girls in secondary school and high school's technology programs and create safe and inspiring contexts with events, food and community. Those who get interested should be able to return and continue to develop. Many people appreciate meeting female entrepreneurs and engineers and asking their questions.

The biggest goal is that those who are interested in technology but do not take the step should have the opportunity to do so. Broadly speaking, it is about more people seeking nature and technology – and in the long run, that the proportion of women in working life in these areas will increase.