Challenges Faced by Female Technical Leaders
From Anita Borg Institute Wiki
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Kristina Browder - Silicon Labs - Director, IT
previous experience includes high military (very classified) respect: biggest challenge
- when to speak, when not to speak.
- assertive not aggressive.
rule of 10: choose three things to focus on, repeat seven times phrase as a question - suggestions network:
- volunteer - serve on boards.
- have something on your resume that's interesting - not just sitting in a room
pick your battles two things current: resume and passport
Romelia Flores - IBM - Technical Executive, IT Architect
native Texan - Univ. of Texas grad 25 years at IBM started in Austin, software development - 7 yrs there patents moved to Dallas/Fort Worth after 7 yrs in austin sw devel, into technical support - working with customers moved into building prototypes and end-to-end solutions for clients you need to stand on your two feet because many guys will challenge based on getting ahead on gender/diversity
- publish, patents, present, be known in field as competent
Lynn Koch - IBM - Technical Executive, IT Architect
26 yrs at IBM look for value - what matches what you want to do from Tuscon, AZ - still lives in the same place as where she started started in storage - tape development recommends to have school first realize you're making choices - work vs life, relationships, career paths - balance them as -you- want works in global services bring yourself to your job - make use of what you have - don't be afraid to be a woman stand up, raise your hand, speak up. people remember when you bail them out. some jobs/projects are learning experiences. something can be learned from almost any experience.
Rebecca Parsons - ThoughtWorks - CTO
there is no green grass - every place is what you make of it figure out what it is that you are looking for; and also what you are not willing to compromise on went back to grad school at 27 can change systems - different roles. some from inside, some from pushing boundaries. don't back down from a fight (but pick your battles) stand up for what you know, what your skills are ask for help - acknowledge when you don't know something/are in over your head
- be careful who you ask for help. (there are people who pursue their own agendas)
make contacts. friendships. have fun
Michele Lezama - GEM - Executive Director
graduate fellowship program ( = GEM) from NYC - Brooklyn definite promotion of graduate degree (she is very much in favor of people getting grad degrees in addition to bachelors) worked for IBM in past (25 yrs ago)
- noticed that people moving up had grad degrees
what tools do you want to put in your toolbox? this is a global economy - if you can have international experience, take it do what you want to do; take into account what is important to you
- marriage
- schedule
- work you like
worked for CBS - computerized operations take risks
- don't do just what's expected
- on the other hand, make sure you're okay (life insurance, savings, etc)
join organizations that will help you expand network, move along in career non-profit work: do what you love keep moving go the extra mile think like an entrepreneur, even within a company get on boards find a partner - the support is a big help be yourself travel; embrace different cultures