Conversations

It is interesting to hear opinions from our male counterparts regarding the state of women in IT. One person (a fellow gamer) stated the following:

They don't exist ... I think maybe in my 11 years in the industry now I've worked with I think 1, and they were "trying" to get in to the field and she just wasn't going to cut it. It really does make me

I feel it is vital that those women who are currently working in IT make it a priority to ensure that our numbers do not continue to dwindle. It's a rough industry, especially for working mothers...the hours are never flexible enough, and the demands are high. What can we do to encourage more women to attempt careers in the IT workforce? There are so many opportunities yet to be had. What can we do to help encourage women to stay in a male dominated field? Big questions without easy answers.

Women Technology Leaders

The State of Women Technology Leaders

Fitting In....

As a woman in this male dominated field, I used to wrestle with "fitting in". At some points it actually consumed me, and instead of helping me move forward, made me take a few steps back. Now that I've been in the field (formally) for eight years, I have found I don't concern myself with what my colleagues think about me as much anymore. I think as women, we tend to burden ourselves with the perceptions of other people far more than men do. I'm not sure I will ever be rid of the doubts, but I have learned to find strength in those doubts. If I don't feel comfortable on a given topic, I learn more, or I find someone who knows more so I can have a resource at hand.

The longer I am in the field, the more confident I become in my skills and abilities. The more confident I become, the less I concern myself with others perceptions. That is not to say it isn't important to receive feedback, or even stumble and fall sometimes. I think feedback is crucial, and learning to receive it gracefully, well, that is another topic I'll take on at another time.

Mentorship. Find one. Male or Female. Colleague or friend. The largest amount of professional growth for me has occurred under the guidance of a mentor. Your mentor should ideally work in the same field/industry, and should be able to make time for you on a consistent basis. You will not regret it. Try it out: http://mentornet.net/

Women In Technology

We are out there, the WIT, working in an industry that has been dominated by our male counterparts for years. Our numbers are growing, as are the resources available to us. I hope to be a part of that growth. There's so much knowledge out there, and so many women striving to get ahead in the industry, that I wanted to create a place to share some of my thoughts around the topics that are close to my heart:

Women in Technology

• Fitting in?
• Common Career paths
• Common barriers
  

Technology in Education

• Integration
• Current Trends
• Career Possibilities
• Encouraging science and technology education for girls
  

Psychology of Technology

• What will they be like? (the next generation)
• Online personnas

Cool stuff

• Emerging technologies
• Using technology to make life easier
• Nothing wrong with being a geek
  

I'm just getting started, so check back often :)