Session about how to support women into IT careers particularly in HE.
About collaboration, understanding academic positions, relationships
Susan E. Metros, Associate Vice Provost/Associate CIO/Professor , University of Southern California What is a nice girl like you doing in IT? Family conflicts for women. U of California research – over 70% of women felt made career sacrifices for family, only about 50% of men. Correlation between childbirth and lack of tenure – don’t have baby until reached tenure. “Trailing spouse” phenomenon – both partners work and one moves universities – what happens to the other one? Flexibility required to support families – both young children and elderly parents as well as relocation packages. If you offer these then better chance of supporting women.
Marilu Goodyear, Chair, Department of Public Administration, University of Kansas. Things helped promote career – leadership programme, support from upper levels of university management; mentoring from other IT women. Designed mentoring programme for women where women met regularly and most have gone on to achieve high roles. Some men complained but then didn’t feel comfortable in collaborative environment that mentored entailed so set up a different programme.
Deborah Keyek-Franssen, Director of Academic Technology , University of Colorado at Boulder. Diversity in IT good for creativity and productivity.
Also presenting on the panel: Kathy Bergsma, Information Security Manager , University of Florida, Tracy Futhey, Vice President & CIO, Duke University, Mairead Martin, Senior Director, Digital Library Technologies, Information Technology Services, The Pennsylvania State University
Mentoring important- be aware of your shadow.
Need more information on why women go into IT, often have diverse backgrounds, don’t know clearly skillsets needed and articulate these clearly enough.
See Educause ebook – http://www.educause.edu/cultivatingcareers for chapter on mentoring.
Fewer women are going into technology careers. Not always aware of complexity of IT careers and the interpersonal skills needed, which women are v good at.
This is not a women’s issue, it is a IT and higher ed issue – should be for everyone! Is title wrong? do we actually separate things out when issue should be of concern for everyone?