This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Science and Technology are getting declining interest from young people, and in particular women.

Michelle Sandford addresses the question of why young people are choosing other fields and what we can do to call them back. She talks about how the stories we tell each other create the reality we live in, and how we are believing (and creating) a negative reality in the field of Technology because we repeat what we hear in the media... and its not true!

We are working in the most exciting and dynamic industry in the world, there are plenty of interesting jobs and they give us the opportunity to work from home, internationally, completely flexibly. We can change the World with technology - but we more young people to help us.

Michelle Sandford is an evangelist for the Technology Industry. She works for Microsoft, is the Vice Chair of the Australian Computer Society in WA, is a Soroptimist, a WAiTTA Board Member and a supporter of young people and community events. Michelle was a Judge for the CIO of the Year Category at the Incite Awards in 2014 and 2013. She was also a Judge for GovHack and for JustStartIT. She recently spoke at the TechReady Conference in Seattle and says speaking to an internal crowd of Microsofties was terrifying, far worse than completing the Tough Mudder Event, which she also just did for the first time this year.

Michelle started her career working for a company, which after many acquisitions and mergers became the largest brewer in the world by volume – Anheuser-Busch InBev, from there she moved to IBM where she undertook global roles, first on her previous employers account, and then Heinz (57 varieties) and Yara. She says working for IBM was one of the best experiences of her life, surpassed only by the experience of working for Microsoft – where she gets to play with Xbox and Surface, whilst travelling the world and talking to amazing people who are changing the way they do business through technology and innovation.

On weekends, Michelle surfs the waves instead of the web to clear her mind and invigorate her soul.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)