On the fourth Thursday of April, the International Day of Girls in ICT is celebrated annually. The day seeks to encourage technological vocations among girls and women in the territory, eradicate the gender gap and give visibility to new leading women. This year, from the Xarxa Punt TIC, we want to contribute by making visible reference cheerleaders for future generations. Today, we have Ainhoa Castaño Martos, double degree student of Computer Engineering and Electronic Telecommunications Engineering and winner of the ninth edition of the DonaTIC Awards of the Generalitat de Catalunya in the 'University ICT Student' category.
1. How did your technological vocation come about?
From a young age, I have had a great interest in everything related to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). I think it comes from my father and my grandfather, as they are both refrigeration engineers. I remember when I was little and I used to go to my father's workshop with my grandfather and watch them work, concentrating on their projects. I think it was there that my curiosity about technological environments began to emerge little by little.
2. What has been your career?
After completing the two high school courses, I enrolled in the double degree of Computer Engineering and Electronic Telecommunications Engineering. In fact, on the first day of the double degree, I presented myself as a class representative, and was chosen by my classmates. Since then, I have been involved in the university.
3. What are your professional goals?
After completing the double degree, I would like to pursue a university master's degree and then, probably, a doctorate. At first, I think I would like to dedicate myself to something related to people's health. In any case, I want to see what the technology industry is like to finish defining my professional future.
4. Who have been your reference women?
Unfortunately, none. I have started to meet leading women now, when I have entered the technological world a little and have been able to share spaces and projects with very powerful, capable and transformative women.
5. How would you encourage a girl or a girl to go into the technological field?
I would invite you to learn about activities, initiatives and proposals linked to the technological fields. I think if they see what we do, maybe their interest will be piqued. People are very curious, especially as children.