Mexican talent in areas such as computing is not usually in the open for everyone. However, initiatives such as the, a contest that has existed for 25 years in the country, are part of the efforts to make the capacities of young people visible, in addition to promoting their careers and technological development.
According to Alexis Cervantes, part of the administrative committee of the event, one of its great purposes is to promote that more young people are interested in computers and computer science, as this will have a positive impact on their careers, regardless of whether they are They dedicate themselves to something related, since they will have more tools to solve everyday problems.
In addition, if students decide to orient themselves towards a STEM career (Science, technology, engineering and mathematics, for its acronym in English), he emphasizes, they will be able to contribute to Mexico developing its own technologies.
For Cynthia Naely López Estrada, a 16-year-old young woman from Guanajuato who has participated in this contest since she was 12, the IMO is of the utmost importance, as it has not only allowed her to meet friends with similar tastes to her own, but also allows her approach to education and see science and technology as fun disciplines.
These types of competencies “give a different vision of what science is, they give a vision that makes you like these disciplines,” says Cynthia enthusiastically, who shares Alexis, who agrees with that description and adds: allow changing the approach to education. They are not about memorizing, but about applying knowledge to solve problems; they replicate real life ”.
Although entering these types of contests can be complex, the support of the family is essential. In Cynthia’s case, her parents taught her to solve situations based on logical-mathematical thinking from a young age and participating in the Olympiad was an almost natural step, as she also wanted to show the world what she was capable of.
However, when she got to her first tests, Cynthia realized that it was not a space where she only competed, but also found a place to share her tastes, meet people and realize that she is not the only one who likes it. kind of activities, which has improved your self-esteem.
Regarding this, Andrea Santillana, who is also part of the IMO committee and participated in it in 2007, says that in these types of events they meet lifelong friends, who also serve as contacts to generate a support network in the world of work.
According to figures from the study, prepared by 3M, in Mexico there has been a growing enthusiasm of youth towards these careers, as 92% of those surveyed said that more people are needed in scientific fields.
In this sense, both Cervantes and Santillana explain that those who participate in the OMI do not have the obligation to dedicate themselves to a related career, although, they limit, the knowledge acquired, such as knowing how to program, can be used in any field and allow professional progress.
“Programming serves many other things,” says Santillana. “Logical thinking helps to solve problems in any area and that helps to be a good professional in any field and, furthermore, in any discipline you can apply technology. That, in the end, contributes to Mexico having better professionals ”.
The gaps that IMO seeks to close
The IMO is limited to students below high school and is developed in stages, from general tests to much more specific exams in each state, which function as filters to select the country’s representatives in the International Olympiad of Informatics.
Regarding his organization, Santillana points out that the more participations a young person has, the more likely he is to win a position, since he knows the dynamics, as well as the work software. However, it stands out that this year the women’s edition was organized for the first time, in order to send a representative to the European Women’s Olympiad in Informatics (OFEI).
This edition, explains Santillana, was carried out with the aim of promoting girls and young people in a sector where they do not have much support. “It was not carried out because women cannot compete in the mixed category, but rather focuses on them to enhance and take advantage of their talent,” he points out.
Data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) suggest that only he thinks about choosing STEM careers, while only he.
With these efforts, adds Santillana, who has been working as a programmer for eight years, “we seek that there is an appropriate environment to promote the participation of women.”
For her part, Cynthia reports that in her four participations she has not suffered differential treatment due to her gender, however, she does not delve into the subject, as she says she is more focused on competing and learning more to represent her country abroad. During her participation in the EFOI, held in Zurich, Switzerland, Cynthia obtained a silver medal.
Likewise, Alexis Cervantes points out, through the Olympiad talent is sought, which is dispersed throughout the country and can change lives, as well as influence the country’s economy. However, he assures that for this they need greater diffusion.
We need to make visible people who have become role models, like Cynthia ”, points out the organizer, who points out that the participation of companies to support the project is vital to continue promoting students, such as Auronix, which acts as a sponsor of the competition.
Santillana comments on the need to change the focus on technology companies in Mexico, as he says that there is still a perception that they only “make talacha, but we have seen that there are more and more companies that develop their products and can compete with foreigners” .
That vision is part of a structural problem, Santillana points out, because from that idea it is very easy for large technology companies to monopolize Olympic talent and, therefore, “we must motivate the growth of national companies to embrace that talent instead of leaving ”.
Cynthia, on the other hand, reflects that it is necessary to continue pushing talent to develop it regardless of whether it is in a competition or not. “After the events, the teachers lose interest in continuing to teach or the most demanding training is left for the best and if someone wants to learn more, they encounter a barrier,” the young woman problematizes. “The joke is to be able to keep learning even if you don’t compete.”
