Women’s History Month reminds us to look at the major career conquests of women in the past few decades. But as society moves into a tech-dominated world, organizations are ensuring women continue to be included in these changes. This pushed Rebecca Daniel, a junior computer science major, to partner with Portland Women in Tech (PDXWIT) to host an event held in the Firstenburg Student Commons on March 3 to discuss the power of networking and making connections within the tech industry.
According to PDXWIT’s website, the organization focuses on promoting the inclusion of minorities, including women, and other underrepresented groups within the tech industry. Elizabeth Stock, executive director of PDXWIT, shared her personal story of how she was drawn to an organization that aimed to support inclusion and diversity within the workplace.
“I’ve been passionate about diversity and inclusion throughout my career … But what excited me about PDXWIT was the fact that the people who are building technology and shaping
what our futures are going to look like; from my perspective need to be diverse and representative,” Stock said.
While PDXWIT has done many networking events around the Portland-metro area, Stock highlighted how this event could be critical for students to use as an outlet of support and encourage students, especially minorities, to get involved within their fields.
“We want students and faculty, and anyone who’s involved with the university to know that this organization is going to be there to be a support [system]. Whether that’s to help somebody find a career in the industry, or maybe they’re already working in the industry but need some community and support. … I’m guessing there’s a lot of underrepresentation of women, and women of color specifically, in some of these majors and so we want to be a resource,” Stocks said.
Daniel explained that while she feels there is support for inclusion coming from both men and women within the industry, this event could help women find a mentor that personally represents them.
“As women, if you’re not necessarily used to talking to men, or comfortable with men as a mentor or comfortable in that situation, then by going to women’s specific event might help you possibly find that mentor … You can find that woman mentor that can help you navigate your entry into the tech world to help answer any questions you have in a non-stressful environment,” Daniel said.
Daniel said these types of events could impact STEM majors that do not have the time to network off-campus.
“It gives them an opportunity to meet industry professionals and to talk to them and get to know them and get to know different companies that they don’t necessarily know exist … Students can use [this event] to develop the skills of learning how to talk in a professional environment and force themselves out of that comfort zone,” Daniel explained.
Davina Cepeda, senior integrated strategic communication major and Associated Students of WSU Vancouver president, explained that while the event would have been beneficial for a lot of students, lack of promotion for the event led to a low turnout rate.
“I don’t think [the event] was utilized to its full potential. There wasn’t a lot of advertisement … However, there was a lot of women in tech turnout who were either women in data analytics, management information system, engineers to even HR representatives … I think there’s a lot of benefits that can come from students who attend conferences such as this,” Cepeda said.
While Daniels said she plans on hosting more tech events at WSU Vancouver, PDXWIT will continue hosting networking and tech events in the Portland-metro area.
Emily is a senior studying integrated strategic communication at WSU Vancouver.