School of Information Technologies

TalTech has created a comprehensive program called "IT Diversification", which aims to increase the proportion of women and other underrepresented groups in the field of information technology and computer science, from admissions to academic careers and management levels. Through the program, we support career changes, offer role models, awareness-raising activities, and create a new generation of inclusive technology culture.

IT is not a mystery, and difference is an advantage.

Goal

Our goal is for IT education and careers at TalTech to be open to everyone, regardless of gender, age, place of residence, previous experience, or special needs. We aim to reduce gender and social inequalities in the digital field, increase the participation of women and regional learners, and establish the university as an exemplary center of diversity and inclusion in Northern Europe.

Topics and activities

• Creating new opportunities, supporting admissions, and reskilling
  We provide pathways and flexible learning opportunities for career changers, regional learners, and those entering IT for the first time. Activities include reskilling programs, preparatory courses, and mentoring.
• Making role models visible
  We highlight inspiring personal stories of students, researchers, and professionals in IT who come from different backgrounds, showing that diversity strengthens innovation.
• Developing an inclusive mindset
  We promote equality, inclusion, and respect in learning and working environments through training, awareness activities, and communication campaigns.
• Mentor of the specialty: IT Pathway Finder chatbot
  An AI-based application that helps learners find the most suitable IT specialty and career path through interactive dialogue and personalized recommendations.

Organization and participation

The activities of the program are carried out by the researchers, lecturers, and partners of the TalTech School of Information Technology in cooperation with the IT Academy Program, Telia Estonia, ITL, Smartwork Academy, and other organizations. TalTech students, school students, career changers, and teachers who want to promote diverse and inclusive IT education can participate. As part of our activities, we offer workshops, open days, and programs for girls and women – all of which are open to everyone.

Statistics and impact

• 700+ participants in retraining programs, including 500+ successful transitions to IT work or studies.
• 59 female role models and 20+ participants in TechCast podcast recordings.
• 7000+ copies of Participatory Informatics have made it to 60% of Estonian schools.
• 500 learners and teachers have tested the IT-huvi2rataja application, and by the end of 2025, it will expand to up to 2500+ users or more.

The impact of the program is noticeable: a growing interest among women in IT specialties, a broader awareness of the impact of stereotypes, new entry routes to the university, and stronger support structures for students from different backgrounds.

For more information

📍 Sirja Sulakatko – sirja.sulakatko@taltech.ee
📍 Birgy Lorenz – birgy.lorenz@taltech.ee
📍 Gert Zavatski – gert.zavatski@taltech.ee

Creating New Opportunities, Supporting Admissions, and Retraining

At TalTech, we support women and career changers who want to start a journey in the IT world. Our goal is to reduce barriers to entry and retraining and to provide flexible ways to get started with technology. To conclude, we offer reskilling programs, collaborative networks, and supportive activities that help learners enter IT with confidence.

Goal

To build bridges for people from different backgrounds – especially women, learners from regional regions, and career changers – to start or continue their studies in the fields of information technology and computer science. We want to increase diversity among TalTech students and offer evidence-based, inclusive paths to university studies.

Topics and activities

• Push Programs
  The Discover IT (Discover Tech) program offers participants the opportunity to gain basic knowledge of IT fields, from programming to cybersecurity and data analytics. The program is designed for people with no prior IT background. The trainings last 6–12 months and are based on internationally recognized Coursera courses. 85% of the program participants start working or further studying IT.
• Special conditions for admission
  The best graduates of the push programs organized by both TalTech and its partners can be admitted to the bachelor's programs of the School of Information Technology at TalTech without entrance tests. Each year, up to the top 20 graduates from the Women To Tech / WoTech and Discover IT / Discover Tech programs can apply under special conditions. In addition, the Women Will Become Web Developers program will provide up to four of the best graduates with the same opportunity.
• Support activities and preparation for university studies
  Courses and workshops for the transition to higher education (e.g. Introduction to IT studies, time management masterclass, maintaining mental health, career planning). Access to courses in the Coursera environment and a mentoring service for program participants. Supportive network and career counselling to make the transition from working life to university smooth. TalTech has joined the Let's Respect Differences program, which carries out various training and awareness-raising activities among employees and lecturers.
• Role models and awareness-raising
  We organize events aimed at career changes, including conferences and company visits. We highlight the stories of successful career changes or people who have found their way into IT through unconventional paths through podcasts, participation in career seminars, etc. We share industry information, learning opportunities, career opportunities, and networking opportunities through the Women in Tech Slack community. We support the choice of specialty through TalTech’s IT Pathway Finder chatbot, an interactive application based on artificial intelligence that helps you find the most suitable IT specialties and plan your future career through practical tasks and personalized advice.

Organization and participation

The activities are carried out in cooperation with the TalTech School of IT, Smartwork Academy, Kood/Jõhvi, Women in Tech Estonia, Career Turns, and other partners. The activities are partly financed by the funds of the IT Academy.

Contact

📍 Contact: Sirja Sulakatko, sirja.sulakatko@taltech.ee

More information

🔗 Discover IT (Discover Tech) for women
🔗 Join the Slack community for women

Role models have great power. At TalTech, we believe that a diverse and inclusive IT world can only be created if people recognize it as one that includes individuals with very different backgrounds, experiences, and life stories. That is why we have created a platform where girls, women, and career changers can share their journey to IT – as students, specialists, researchers, and managers.

Goal

To create visibility and credible role models that inspire girls, women, and career changers to enter the field of technology. Our goal is to break the stereotypes that IT is just a "men's field" and to highlight the different roles and paths technology offers.

Topics and activities

• Personal stories series "Difference is an advantage"
  We have collected and published various personal stories about students and alumni studying at the university.
  👉 Read stories: Stories of bachelor's students
  👉 Read stories: Master's programme student stories
  
  For example, the 59 inspiring personal stories of women working or studying in the IT field from the project Women in Cyber Security – Role Models for Girls. Through these stories, very different journeys open up — from career changers to researchers and entrepreneurs, students and specialists who have reached managers. The stories aim to highlight that IT is a diverse, humane, and creative field.
  👉 Read stories: Difference is an advantage – role models in IT
• TechCast podcast
  In cooperation with various parties, we have launched the TechCast podcast, where IT specialists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and TalTech alumni share their experiences and lessons. The program covers topics such as career change, leadership, work-life balance, technology ethics, and digital competencies. The podcast has reached thousands of listeners and is also used as a learning material by schools and career counsellors. We also share similar career stories through the Faculty's YouTube channel and Kristjan Karmo's Career Twisted Channel.
  👉 Listen: TechCast by TalTech, Telia & Smartworkacademy
  👉 Listen: TalTech School of Information Technology YouTube
  👉 Listen: Career Twists and Turns on Spotify and YouTube
• Workshops and campaigns in schools
  Schools can invite speakers and let us know about their wishes for workshops, where students, lecturers, and alumni share their experiences.
• Annual meetings
  Meetings, where young people can communicate directly with TalTech's IT students and alumni, who talk about their journey to the university and the world of work, are usually held at the TalTech Innovation Festival, Researchers' Night, Key to the Future, TalTech School of IT Student Council events, IT Professions Day, Internship Fair or other events of the School of IT.
• TechDrinks event series
  Once every two months, we organize visits to organizations strongly connected to technology for participants interested in IT. Afterward, they can make contacts and exchange experiences more informally.
  👉 Participate: TechDrinks company visits

Organization and participation

The TalTech School of IT leads the role models programs. Anyone who wants to share their IT journey – be they students, lecturers, entrepreneurs, or professionals – can participate. Through the program, you can gain visibility, join a mentor network, and contribute to inspiring young people.

Ask more

📍 Contact: Gert Zavatski, gert.zavatski@taltech.ee (workshops, personal stories, inspiration evenings)
📍 Contact: Sirja Sulakatko, sirja.sulakatko@taltech.ee (podcasts, company visits)

👉 Participate: Visits to TechDrinks companies .

An inclusive mindset in IT means seeing diversity not as a challenge but as an opportunity. TalTech promotes equality, inclusion, and mutual respect in both study and work environments. We believe that everyone should feel welcome and supported — regardless of gender, origin, or background.

Goal

To develop an open and inclusive technology culture that supports cooperation and creativity. We aim to strengthen the understanding that diversity increases innovation and that different experiences and skills help create smarter digital solutions for everyone.

Topics and activities

• "Inclusive CS" – a card game for inclusive informatics
  Created at TalTech, "Inclusive CS" is an original educational game that helps to discuss topics such as gender balance, cultural diversity, digital equality, and ethics in IT. The game aims to help teachers and learners open a discussion on technology-related attitudes, prejudices, and inclusive design topics, along with the development of necessary cybersecurity skills. It is already used by 60% of Estonian schools, several universities, and companies in Europe and the United States. The game has been translated into several languages (Estonian, English, German) and is used in classes, workshops, and international conferences.
• Teacher and mentor training
  TalTech organizes workshops to introduce how to integrate inclusive thinking into the teaching of informatics, robotics, and digital competencies. The training combines playful learning, reflection, and discussion on real-life examples (e.g. how to eliminate bias in AI models or design).
• International cooperation and research activities
  The "Inclusive CS" game is part of TalTech's research and development projects that explore how game-based learning supports the development of inclusive technological thinking. The results of the project have been presented at international conferences (e.g. HCII, EC-TEL) and through shared school networks.

Organization and participation

The development of the game and the training is led by the team of the Didactics Centre of the TalTech School of IT, together with international partners. The creation of the game was supported by the US Embassy, the Smartly on the Internet project , and the European Union. The "Inclusive CS" – Inclusive Informatics Card Game can be used by schools, teachers, companies, and communities that want to develop a discussion on the topics of equality and inclusion.

See more

📍 Contact: Birgy Lorenz, birgy.lorenz@taltech.ee
👉 Open the game: Inclusive CS – Inclusive Informatics Card Game 

The IT Pathway Finder is an AI-based conversation and recommendation tool developed by TalTech, which helps upper secondary school and vocational school students discover the most suitable IT specialty, field of study, and career opportunities for them. The app acts as a virtual specialty mentor that guides users through playful questions, mini-tasks, and self-analysis to understand their interests, skills, and values.

Goal

To support young people's informed choice between IT specialties by helping them understand that IT is not just about programming but encompasses a wide range of career paths — from cybersecurity and data science to design, educational technology, and robotics. The aim is to reduce stereotypes and acknowledge that the IT field is suitable for every learner, regardless of previous experience or background.

Topics and activities

• AI mentor and conversational interface: The app uses artificial intelligence to have one-on-one conversations with the user, ask questions about interests, strengths, and future expectations, and recommend suitable IT specialties at TalTech and other universities.
• Mini-games and scenarios: Learners can solve short scenarios (e.g. “What role would you play in solving a cyber incident?” or “How would you design an accessible application?”) that help them understand what kind of work in IT resonates with them the most.
• Scorecard and recommendations: The app creates a personal profile with recommendations for suitable specialties, courses, and career opportunities. Young people can share the results with a career counsellor, teacher, or parents.
• Pilot and use: The IT Interest Booster has already been tested in 60 schools across Estonia, with a total of more than 500 learners. Based on the feedback, the tool has helped to increase interest in IT careers, especially among girls and learners who are less involved in technology.

Organisation and participation

The app was created by TalTech's IT Didactics Centre and supported by the IT Academy program. The app was designed and created by PragmatiqAI. The application can be used by teachers, career counsellors, and schoolchildren both independently and in career classes or craft training courses. The system is suitable for use in Estonian and English and operates as a web-based system.

See more

📍 Contact: Birgy Lorenz, birgy.lorenz@taltech.ee
👉 Open application: IT-huvi2rataja 

Information technology is often surrounded by myths: that IT is only suitable for “geniuses who play with buttons”, that it is too complicated, or that only those who have been writing code since childhood can manage in this world.

In fact, IT is much more — and much more human than people think.

IT stands for creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, and cleverness. It's an area where you can build, design, and improve the world — whether it's an app that helps people move, a system that protects data, or artificial intelligence that helps doctors make more accurate decisions.

What IT really means

• IT is not just code — it's teamwork, analysis, and design.
• IT doesn't require you to know everything right away — the will to learn and think logically is more important.
• IT is not just for men — women, career changers, and all other learners from different backgrounds are becoming increasingly important in this field.
• IT is not dry and theoretical — it is a practical, rapidly developing, and creative world, where every new project offers something new.

TalTech students say that the most challenging step was the first one – daring to start. Once this is done, the doors open to a new world where learning is playful, and development is continuous. Don't be discouraged by myths – IT is for people, not robots. All you need is curiosity and the courage to try.

👉 Come and discover what kind of IT is like for you.
👉 Open story: How to find the right IT bachelor's degree specialty for you? 
👉 Open story: Involving girls in IT – not just for diversity, but essential for innovation and development 
👉 Watch the video: DISCUSSION: Why do we need more girls in IT? 

Similarly, we recommend that you look at the activities of our partners:
👉 Unicorn Squad
👉 Start IT
👉 Smartwork Academy