“Career Choices: Evaluating Technology Career Opportunities Among Diverse Business Sectors” was the first panel I attended at this first morning
of the
Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing here in Orlando, Florida.
The panelists started by introducing themselves and telling us
where we can apply to work for their companies (Semantec, Amazon,
Goldman Sachs, Medco, SAIC, and Yahoo!). I am sitting in the back
corner of a very full room. I have already been at the
conference for 3 hours: setting up then moving then setting up Sun’s
recruiting table again for the first hour, then attending the Welcome
and Keynote session. Fascinating talks by Jeanette Wing (whom I
last heard when she worked at CMU, before she started at the National
Science Foundation) and Donna Dubinsky (CEO of Palm and now Numenta)!
Work-life balance is a big topic among the panelists. Without making
little of the need, I do get tired of that phrase! In my experience
(both before and since I had my two kids), work and life are best
integrated rather than balanced. Being able to work from home sometimes,
having supportive management and family, scheduling, prioritization, and
delegation are all essential to making life work. That is, I have never
found that work and life are two different things that need balancing
but rather work is a part of my life as my family and church and
volunteer jobs and hobbies are also a part of my life. It is
all my life.
Finding work you love, being brave about continuing to search until
you find that work, always continuing to learn, and the broad range
of choices are major (standard) themes of the panel’s discussion. It seems
like most of the women asking questions are looking for work after
school. Since this is not my situation (I have a job I love!), I am
less interested in this topic.
The panel grows most interesting to me in answer to the final question
about negative work environment and
the downside of being the only or one of the few women
in a technical workplace. One of the panelists said “The jerks
will eventually disappear – fade away – become irrelevant.” Another
said: “Become competent and confident and you will outlast them.
Find mentors!” A third said: “Listen to their point of view. Also, be
stable and authentic about what you know – earn your way to respect.”
The last said: “Ask questions! The person who asks questions is the
person with the power.” Good advice.
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