Please, More Stereotype Breaking Women in Technology

So, yesterday I spoke at the Career Fair as a “vendor”/”career type” at Smith High School and I definitely felt a little different before I set up our booth than I normally do when I go out and encourage the kids to go out and accomplish their dreams.

It is because of a new buddy of mine. I actually met this young lady through Facebook and we chatted for a few hours about various things and she really inspired me. I wondering why don’t we have more women in technology like her. She really defiles the stereotypes of a female web designer (probably because she models and does great web design).

Then there is another new buddy, she doesn’t do web design but is hard core geek. So the both of them, had my mine running like why are they are the only two that I have met like that.

So, I woke up and went with my buddy to the career fair because we basically do everything together. After we were both set up (pictures coming), I was beginning to think back on my new buddy and I began to be sexists toward the women. I started calling out all the young women and asking them if they had an interest in a career in Technology. I only had 2 yes’s and maybe 20-25 no’s. (If anyone has any statistics, please comment!)

I tried to make it as appealing as possible but it wasn’t until I had to leave did I figure out the proper hook for them and then I began to see the lights go off in their head.

After I left, I tweeted how I feel it is very important that we get more women in technology, not just so they can even things out, not just because women think differently than men and could provide a great point of view, but hey we geek men need hot geek women.

Seriously, we need more women in technology and I look forward to going back to Smith High School and going a presentation on women in technology. I can speak to it a little but there is nothing like seeing a woman speak on it as well. So, I look forward to bringing someone with me to make an impact in these young women’s lives and atleast make it easier for my son to find a hot geek wife.

C.