Automatticians, the individuals who construct WordPress.com, take part in occasions and tasks around the globe on daily basis. Periodically, we report again on the thrilling issues we do when not in entrance of a pc.
I’d prefer to share some experiences from the Grace Hopper Celebration of Girls in Computing, the place I used to be joined by my colleagues Marjorie Asturias, Deborah Beckett, Mo Carter, Rebecca Collins, Kelly Dwan, and Megan Marcel.
Image an airplane hangar-sized house full of girls bobbing to rhythmic pop music, neon glowing necklaces dotting the group. This was the closing get together for the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC), a large convention dedicated to girls learning or working in know-how, and named in honor of the legendary computer scientist and United States Navy Rear Admiral.
It was an intense few October days in Houston, Texas, the place the 16th version of GHC drew 15,000 worldwide contributors, from computer-science and software-engineering school college students to established professionals working at massive know-how firms like IBM, Microsoft, and Apple.
Automattic was proud to host a sales space on the profession honest, the place we chatted with many younger girls getting began of their know-how careers. We launched a collection of postcards that includes Automatticians, which you’ll be able to see on our new Diversity and Inclusion page. The playing cards showcase the wide selection of individuals working at Automattic from their dwelling bases throughout the globe, in roles from Information Scientist to Happiness Engineer.
I additionally had a chance to attend some periods on the convention itself. Highlights included a discuss the best way to negotiate extra successfully, a ability numerous girls discover relatively difficult. In response to the presenter, we have a tendency to barter nicely on others’ behalves, however many people — together with me — discover that negotiating for ourselves could be troublesome! One other thought-provoking session was a panel dialogue with girls who’ve created instruments to assist bypass unconscious bias through the hiring and interviewing course of. I additionally attended a public talking workshop; since I additionally run public speaking workshops, it was helpful to see one from a participant’s perspective. I picked up some good recommendations on the best way to deal with a bigger group — there have been no less than 100 girls at this one, in an enormous ballroom.
My week at GHC was inspiring and exhausting, however greater than something, it was energizing to be round so many ladies obsessed with know-how.
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