Women in Technology

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Women in Technology
Barb Spurway President, Winnipeg Section CIPS
(Canadian Information Processing Society)
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Why I am here...

• The world consists of .
• 51 women
• women from all walks of life
• women make up 40 of the workforce
• Twenty years ago .
• women made up between 20-40 of those enrolled in
  computer science courses in North America
• Today .
• that number has dropped to 10-15 - significant
• if the trend continues, less than 30 of people
  working in IT will be women
• Why?
• perceptions
• interest amongst young women in math and science
• exposure and interest of young women in
  technology

We need you to change this trend!!
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Not so great predictions

• I think the world has a market for maybe five
  computers. Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
• There is no reason anyone would want a computer
  in their home. Ken Olson, president, chairman
  and founder of DEC, 1977.
• 640K ought to be enough for anybody Bill Gates,
  1981.

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Not so great predictions

• The Americans have need of a telephone, but we
  do not. We have plenty of messenger boys. Sir
  William Preece, chief engineer of the British
  Post Office
• What use could this company make of an
  electrical toy? Western Union President, turning
  down exclusive rights to the telephone, 1878.

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Today. Technology is alive and kicking!!

• Technology is everywhere
• Technology helps people
• Technology makes the world a better place to live
• Technology is created by people working together
• Technology is fun!!

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IT Professions at my workplace...

• Systems Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Project Manager
• Developer
• Network Specialist
• Infrastructure Specialist
• Database Analyst
• Database Administrator
• Network Security Specialist

• Solution Architect
• Help Desk
• Training Coordinator
• Project Management Office Manager
• Program Manager
• Vice-President of IT
• Chief Technology Officer

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Here is an example from my workplace ...
Insert application shot
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Zeroing in on a few of my favorite IT
professions...

• Project Manager
• Assembles guides the team in project delivery

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Zeroing in on a few of my favorite IT
professions...

• Business Analyst
• Helps client understand true business problem and
  gathers business requirements

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Zeroing in on a few of my favorite IT
professions...

• Solution Architect
• Technical conceptual solution

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Zeroing in on a few of my favorite IT
professions...

• System Analyst
• Gathers functional requirements

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Zeroing in on a few of the IT professions...

• Data Architect
• Database Analyst
• Database Administrator
• Designs data storage techniques for efficient
  retrieval

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Zeroing in on a few of my favorite IT
professions...

• Developer
• Technical development

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To Succeed in Math, Science and Technology...

• Good school record - competitive
• Attitude
• Desire to achieve in these areas
• Like to solve problems
• Role models (including mentoring)
• A desire for teamwork

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To explore a career in IT

• Keep the doors open . university/college
  entrance
• Take Math and Science(s)
• Investigate Careers in Technology
• Use Computers and become Technology Literate
• Ask your parents/sponsors what your strengths are
• KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN!!

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What you need to know if youd like to work in IT

• Lifelong Learning
• keep yourself marketable! Always!
• education continues after you earn your degree
• IT professional designations such as the ISP
  and the PMP
• Information age has opened up the global market
• what you know will be more important than your
  years of experience, age, etc
• those with leading edge skills will have best
  opportunities
• flat (encyclopedia) to virtual (web) trends
  everywhere

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What you need to know if youd like to work in IT

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong people and communication skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Math and science skills
• Creativity skills
• You will need these skills for both university
  and college entrance of
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Math and Science
• Management

No matter what you do, these skills provide the
foundation for success!
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Whats Coming

• Auto manufacturers are in the process of
  equipping their cars with wireless, Internet
  access ... providing dynamic navigation and
  real-time traffic routing ... security and
  antitheft protection ... emergency calling and
  roadside assistance ... and voice activated
  e-mail.
• A young father paralyzed in a car accident became
  the first recipient of a new medical implant --
  controlled by buttons on a walker or crutches ...
  intended to help paraplegics regain some of their
  ability to walk
• Imagine chips embedded in your refrigerator at
  home ... providing it with the ability to scan
  bar codes and automatically place orders via the
  Internet to your local grocery store ... for pick
  up at your convenience

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Dont just take my word for it...

• WWW.CIPS.CA - CIPS _at_ School, Women in Technology
  program, Women in IT Ambassador program
  TeensAsk_at_cips.ca
• Canadas Association of IT Professionals
• WWW. JACAN.CA
• Junior Achievement web site - an excellent
  partnership!
• WWW.wiredwomen.com
• Wired Woman - non-profit org of women
  entrepreneurs utilizing technology
• Women in Technology - Grade 9 Workshops (IBM)
• thanks especially for the input to this
  presentation!!