Women in IT Archive

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Computer Engineer Barbie – my bookshelf trophy

– 04 February 2012Posted in: Women in IT, Working in IT

I was never a Barbie-girl. As a child I preferred Lego, My little Pony, Forrest Family and more, but I never like Barbie. I even remember one Christmas where my sister got the coolest hippest My Little Pony (well in my eight year old eyes it was!) while I got a Barbie in a fancy dress. My sad puppy eyes had my mother rectify the problem the next day by taking me to the toy store and returning the doll in favour of a pink horse, with wings. I was as happy as I could be and I never got a Barbie ever again.

Now, as an adult, I proudly display my very first Barbie in my bookshelf. Well why shouldn’t I? It’s Computer Engineer Barbie, complete with her own laptop and smartphone. I strongly believe that if we are to encourage more women to consider careers in the IT-business we need to make the notion of women as carriers of technology know-how as something natural. Perhaps Computer Engineer Barbie will spark a tech-interest in young girls and open a new world of possibilities for them. It is our responsibility as adults to change the view of women in IT, beginning with our children.

At least I know exactly what I will give my niece M when she turns five later this year!

 

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Sneak-peak of a new Facebook page

– 30 January 2012Posted in: Social Media, Women in IT, Working in IT

This weekend I have spent a lot of time working on a new Facebook page for the Swedish Women in IT blog community which I am a part of (www.ittjej.se). I can easily loose my self in working on tab app designs, Facebook strategies etc, it’s all so much fun! The page should be ready for launch soon, it just need a few more tweaks. In the mean time, here is a sneak-peak on the final result.

What do you think makes a compelling Facebook page?

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Holiday Gift Tip 4: Computer Engineer Barbie

– 04 December 2011Posted in: Advent Calendar, Tech stuff, Women in IT, Working in IT

“They err who thinks Santa Claus comes down through the chimney; he really enters through the heart.”
Mrs. Paul M. Ell.

What: Do you have a little girl or boy on your shopping list who likes to play with Barbie? Then I think you should do that child, and the future or the IT-business a favour and give her/him a Computer Engineer Barbie! We need more women to study and work with IT. In order to accomplish this we need to make the combination of women and technology be seen as something natural. Besides, Computer Engineer Barbie is really cool with all her gadgets. (I have actually bought one for myself!)

Where to Buy: Amazon

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WinIT: Networking event for Women in IT

– 21 November 2011Posted in: Events, Women in IT, Working in IT

Last week I attended a networking event for women in the IT-business called WinIT. Sogeti hosted the brand new network in co-operation with IT-tjej (a Swedish blog-network for Women in IT, where I also blog) 170 participants showed up for a nice evening of mingling and interesting sessions.

Susanne Nee Schill talked about the future, technology and humanity. How we in this very moment actually exist in the future and that it is important to take a concious decision on how we want to approach it. What is your own relation to technology? Are you an early adopter, part of the mainstream group or perhaps you avoid shiny new things as long as possible? Since I love new gadgets, social networks and programs I definately feel at home with the early adopters.

Pingis Hadenius, Publisher at IDG held a very interesting session about courage. Pingis herself has made an eventful career journey in the media business and it was very rewarding to listen to her own experiences. As women we need to get better at taking on new challenges, says Pingis. Thinking that we need to be overqualified to have courage to take that new job/assignment/tasks is a recurring pattern. Courage, courage, courage. This is the key to making your dreams come true!

Pingis also spoke about the importance of maintaining a good balance between all aspects of life: professional, health, economy, ideal and social. Only you can determine what is important in your life and how you should prioritize and divide the 24 hours of each day.

I look forward to initiatives like WinIT and I will definitely be part of this network. Next event is arranged in March 2012 so I will keep you updated on my participation here.

Later this week I will share with you an interview with Pingis Hadenius.

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Few women at Microsoft TechDays

– 27 March 2011Posted in: Events, Women in IT, Working in IT

Attracting women to tech-oriented events is a real struggle for the organizers. The Swedish magazine “Computer Sweden” talked to a representative from Microsoft who are hosting the upcoming event Microsoft TechDays. In the article we can read that only 80 out of the 1700 attendees are women! Less than 5%! This is a really depressing figure.

I myself attended last years conference and there were not many women then either unfortunately. Personally I love participating in qualitative conferences. It is a perfect opportunity to broaden your knowledge, networking with others in the industry and simply get inspired. The only things that keeps me from participating more in these kinds of conferences is funds and time.

This year I have other engagements during these days, but I hope I can come 2012. Or why not the global conference in the states? :)

 

 

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Geek Girl Meetup – here I come!

– 17 March 2011Posted in: Events, Women in IT, Working in IT

In May the big un-conference “Geek Girl Meetup” will take place here in Stockholm. It is an event which takes places twice a year and gathers more than a 100 geeky girls for a weekend with inspirational sessions held by the participants. The tickets always go very quickly so I was very glad to have been quick enough to secure a spot for myself.

I have been to Geek Girl Meetup several times before, both as a participant and as a moderator. It is one of those events a woman in the IT-industry should not miss!

 

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Inspirational IT- girl event

– 26 April 2009Posted in: Career, Events, Women in IT, Working in IT

On April 23 I attended an event targeting female IT-professionals in Sweden. Through some role-playing and an engaging workshop, led by career-coach Susanne Dahlérus, we were given the opportunity to reflect on our careers.

It was surprising to hear that most of us create mental boundaries which affects our actions in life. It’s therefore important to keep an open mind and have the courage to think and dream in new ways. We need to control our own “truth” and plan our career accordingly.

The aim of the exercises was to make a one year plan, and commit then and there the first step to making it a reality. I too made my own reflections, looking to my personal hopes and goals in my professional journey. Exactly what that goal entails will be covered in this blog in due time. In one year, on April 23 2010 I will look back and hopefully see that I have been proactive and taken every opportunity to growth and development.

An interview with the career-coach Susanne Dahlérus [swedish]
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