numFemaleListeners++; I've been listening for about a year and a half or so I think...
To answer your question Dianne, I didn't look into going this year in part for scheduling issues. The other reason, however lame this may be, is that I only graduated and started working as an engineer a year ago, and I'm not sure if I'm really...I don't know, have enough experience to be able to contribute to the conference? I guess I'm not too sure if I'd fit in there? On the general issue of women in computing, it can be somewhat depressing to see articles about percentages of women in computing and CS enrollment numbers in general etc. However, I still see a lot of positive things as well. I recently went to the She's Geeky unconference (http://shesgeeky.org/) in Mountain View attended by many types of women in technology (including the Secretary of State of California). I also attended the Grace Hopper Conference for Women in Computing (http://www.gracehopper.org/) for the last two years. It's an international conference, and having 1,200+ women all gathered to discuss technology, research, etc. is pretty inspiring. I think the focus should really be on inspiring kids to become interested in computing. Even the latest issue of Communications of the ACM has an article on inspiring women in computing as their cover story. Having been involved in some outreach efforts, I've seen how many young women stay away from computing because of some stereotypes that still exist such as they'll never get a date if they choose that, or all the jobs are going overseas or it's simply too hard. That just...makes me sad and I don't really understand it. For me, I wanted to be an engineer ever since my dad would bring home his Mac SE from work for me to play with...haha :) But I've had my share of being made fun of or doubted and some people just don't want to deal with that, and they shouldn't have to. I guess my point might be that availability of computing education and hopeful changes of some stereotypes should encourage more women to consider a career in technology. Um...anyway, maybe I can join next year? :) Jessie --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Java Posse" group. To post to this group, send email to javaposse@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to javaposse+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/javaposse?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
