Transcript Women in Technology Barb Spurway President, Winnipeg Section CIPS (Canadian Information Processing Society) Page 1

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
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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
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We need you to change
this trend!!
Not so great predictions

“I think the world has a market for maybe
five computers”. Thomas Watson,
chairman of IBM, 1943.
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“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
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“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
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Technology is created by people working together
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Technology is fun!!
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IT Professions at my workplace...
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Systems Analyst
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Solution Architect
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Business Analyst
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Help Desk
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Project Manager
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Training Coordinator
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Developer
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Network Specialist
Project Management Office
Manager
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Infrastructure Specialist
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Program Manager
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Database Analyst
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Vice-President of IT
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Database Administrator
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Chief Technology Officer
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Network Security
Specialist
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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...
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Good school record - competitive
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Attitude
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Desire to achieve in these areas
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Like to solve problems
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Role models (including mentoring)
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A desire for teamwork
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To explore a career in IT
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Keep the doors open .… university/college entrance
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Take Math and Science(s)
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Investigate Careers in Technology
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Use Computers and become Technology Literate
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Ask your parents/sponsors what your strengths are
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KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN!!
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What you need to know if you’d like to work in IT
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Lifelong Learning
 keep yourself marketable! Always!
 education continues after you earn your degree
 IT “professional designations” such as the ISP and
the PMP
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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 you’d like to work in IT
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Strong organizational skills
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Strong people and communication skills
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Analytical and problem-solving skills
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Math and science skills
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Creativity skills
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You will need these skills for both university and college
entrance of:
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Computer Science
Engineering
Math and Science
Management
No matter what you do, these skills provide the foundation
for success!
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What’s 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
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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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Don’t just take my word for it...
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WWW.CIPS.CA - CIPS @ School, Women in Technology
program, Women in IT Ambassador program &
[email protected]
 Canada’s Association of IT Professionals
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WWW. JACAN.CA
 Junior Achievement web site - an excellent partnership!
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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!!
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