The Best of Systers The Best of Systers Blog
Systers and Google Summer of Code
Google Summer of Code (GSOC) is a program that engages students with open source communities by paying them a stipend to spend their vacation coding for open source organizations. This is the third year that Systers has been chosen as a mentoring organization by GSOC.
Dealing Daily with Gender Stereotypes in Computing
There are those who put on metaphorical blindfolds and ignore all of hindrances that surround them, and there are the women who see the issues and face them head on.
Starting a K-12 Outreach Program
Middle school and high school are critical times for keeping girls’ interest and building confidence in math and CS. Many educators are pioneering ways to bring computer science to girls in these age groups and younger.
Build a Better Bot
Disliking this lack of professionalism in her workplace and accused of not being able to take a joke, she created her own bot. Her chat bot responds to “That’s what she said” with a quote from a famous woman.
History, Women & Mathematics
The history of technology is steeped in mathematics. There have been a few recent posts on Systers about the famous and, some argue, forgotten, female mathematician, Emmy Noether.
Why are there so few women in Computer Science?
I am sure most of us women in technology have wondered about this: Why are we always a minority? This question came particularly to my mind last month, when I was writing applications for some scholarships (as all grad students do when searching for supplemental funding).
Admiral Grace Hopper Links
Admiral Grace Hopper Links — Admiral Grace Hopper is a role model to many women in computer science. She was one of the pioneers of the computing field doing such amazing acts as making the first compiler, was the founder of COBOL, is infamous for explaining just how long a physical nano-second is, and is credited with being the first one to discover a computer ‘bug’ – a moth trapped within a machine.
Sexism in Tech: The Revolution is being Tweeted
We hear about sexism in the tech industry frequently, and many readers of this blog no doubt experience such on a daily basis. The most recent prominent entries in the ongoing saga of poor and demoralizing behavior aimed at women in the technology industry? Squoot and Geeklist.
Link share: 50th Anniversary of Mercury program
50th anniversary celebration of the first American to orbit the Earth and Project Mercury in general. The Associated Press article by Marcia Dunn noted that the veterans of the Mercury program included women who were involved as mathematicians and computer programmers.
Getting What You’re Worth
Salary negotiation is a hot topic right now. This article in the New York Times has some good reminders for women specifically about negotiating for a fair salary, and describes some of the pitfalls women fall into. One of my go-to financial blogs Get Rich Slowly has numerous posts about the importance of salary negotiation. One important point these writers make is that it is always a good idea to negotiate. Regardless of what the employer offers, ask for more, and be willing to work for what you think you’re worth.