Technical Ladies Unite!
Jun. 4th, 2008 11:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bethlakshmiI don't blog much about work these days, partly cause I can't blog from work (so I don't blog much at all), and my mind isn't on the work topic when I do blog. But also I don't like discussing company stuff publicly.
But this is not company-related, and it's too good to not pass along:
Smith College and SWE present
From Specialist to Strategist
http://www.smith.edu/execed/programs/ScienceTechnology/SWE/
A week long conference for women who are in a technical field, but who are also transitioning to leadership positions.
Wow, ladies. Really... wow.
I have been to my share of uplifting self-love B.S.
And I have been to my share of corporate happy fluffy communication stuff.
And I have met plenty of smart, personable, insightful, technical women in my time.
None of that has hit me as powerfully as this conference.
In fact, no other technical conference has hit me this powerfully - although SW best practices came darn close.
This is real tools, for real women who really want to solve big technical problems. But it's also a chance for us to be inspired by each other. I truly believe that the women that I am with this week are trying to change the world, and better themselves at the same time. We are a range of ages, and a range of techical specialities, and a range of positions from business to development to R&D - but we are truly peas in a pod. I don't think I've felt so instantly united with a group of people in a very, very long time - maybe my first Al Hafla. But it might even have been college the last time I felt so truly and utterly a part of something.
The courses are top notch. I don't find them all equally useful, but they are are very well taught, and very relevant to becoming a manager. And they never, not once, have said that it is different, worse, better, harder, what-have-you to be a WOMAN manager. Just focused on tools we can use to lead our teams, create strategic visions, coach, negotiate, and more.
The issues, quandaries and concerns of being a woman in a man's world are there, but rather than treating it as a liability, the focus is simply finding how to make reality work, and learning from each other. Not a one of us sees herself as a victim. In fact, I surmise we see ourselves as champions, role models and helpers.
Also awesome is that the organizers of the course have put a tremendous amount of energy into the structure - this is truly both a networking and a learning event. We learn for 8 hours a day, but we also workout every morning, have healthy options at every meal, go boating, wall climbing, shopping and out to dinner together. We have homework for the courses, but we also have time to actually socialize and enjoy each other.
It sounds completely corny - but I honestly believe that I am making friendships that could last a lifetime. I have already received three offers of a place to stay if I want to visit a foreign country - two in parts of India and one in Japan! I have both met women I want to be more like, and met women to whom I was able to recommend a thought or two.
If you are a technical woman in a position of leadership (not necessarily management - leadership like being a subject matter expert is fine) or even just trying to get yourself to that position -- talk to your company about going. It's $6200 this year, but that includes hotel, 2/3 of the food, and there is no need for transportation after arrival. Well worth it.
But this is not company-related, and it's too good to not pass along:
Smith College and SWE present
From Specialist to Strategist
http://www.smith.edu/execed/programs/ScienceTechnology/SWE/
A week long conference for women who are in a technical field, but who are also transitioning to leadership positions.
Wow, ladies. Really... wow.
I have been to my share of uplifting self-love B.S.
And I have been to my share of corporate happy fluffy communication stuff.
And I have met plenty of smart, personable, insightful, technical women in my time.
None of that has hit me as powerfully as this conference.
In fact, no other technical conference has hit me this powerfully - although SW best practices came darn close.
This is real tools, for real women who really want to solve big technical problems. But it's also a chance for us to be inspired by each other. I truly believe that the women that I am with this week are trying to change the world, and better themselves at the same time. We are a range of ages, and a range of techical specialities, and a range of positions from business to development to R&D - but we are truly peas in a pod. I don't think I've felt so instantly united with a group of people in a very, very long time - maybe my first Al Hafla. But it might even have been college the last time I felt so truly and utterly a part of something.
The courses are top notch. I don't find them all equally useful, but they are are very well taught, and very relevant to becoming a manager. And they never, not once, have said that it is different, worse, better, harder, what-have-you to be a WOMAN manager. Just focused on tools we can use to lead our teams, create strategic visions, coach, negotiate, and more.
The issues, quandaries and concerns of being a woman in a man's world are there, but rather than treating it as a liability, the focus is simply finding how to make reality work, and learning from each other. Not a one of us sees herself as a victim. In fact, I surmise we see ourselves as champions, role models and helpers.
Also awesome is that the organizers of the course have put a tremendous amount of energy into the structure - this is truly both a networking and a learning event. We learn for 8 hours a day, but we also workout every morning, have healthy options at every meal, go boating, wall climbing, shopping and out to dinner together. We have homework for the courses, but we also have time to actually socialize and enjoy each other.
It sounds completely corny - but I honestly believe that I am making friendships that could last a lifetime. I have already received three offers of a place to stay if I want to visit a foreign country - two in parts of India and one in Japan! I have both met women I want to be more like, and met women to whom I was able to recommend a thought or two.
If you are a technical woman in a position of leadership (not necessarily management - leadership like being a subject matter expert is fine) or even just trying to get yourself to that position -- talk to your company about going. It's $6200 this year, but that includes hotel, 2/3 of the food, and there is no need for transportation after arrival. Well worth it.