Comments on: Women In Technology, Because We Need More Labels http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/ geek is good Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:22:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Alexia http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9643 Alexia Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:05:45 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9643 @Deborah Love that quote. That's something we should all use. @Thiftcriminal Exactly. I'd love it if the BS around this topic stopped, and people started being a bit more honest. @Martha Thanks. Like you I didn't know anyone in technology. Through a long series of coincidences including a horrible bout of verrucas (long story), I found myself here. That's really not a path I'd suggest anyone follow. :) Actually, at first I wanted to be an economist.. @Deborah Love that quote. That’s something we should all use.

@Thiftcriminal Exactly. I’d love it if the BS around this topic stopped, and people started being a bit more honest.

@Martha Thanks. Like you I didn’t know anyone in technology. Through a long series of coincidences including a horrible bout of verrucas (long story), I found myself here. That’s really not a path I’d suggest anyone follow. :) Actually, at first I wanted to be an economist..

]]> By: Martha http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9642 Martha Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:51:36 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9642 Hi Alexia - so well-written, I really loved this post, especially a) the call to action for society and parents, etc. to help foster that curiousity and interest and b) your point about not being exposed to those careers. I didn't know anyone growing up, men or women, who had a job as a programmer so I went to college thinking that I would be an accountant becauses I liked math. Exposure and good role models are key and an important responsibility to all of us. Hi Alexia - so well-written, I really loved this post, especially
a) the call to action for society and parents, etc. to help foster that curiousity and interest and
b) your point about not being exposed to those careers. I didn’t know anyone growing up, men or women, who had a job as a programmer so I went to college thinking that I would be an accountant becauses I liked math.
Exposure and good role models are key and an important responsibility to all of us.

]]> By: Thriftcriminal http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9641 Thriftcriminal Tue, 01 Apr 2008 11:56:00 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9641 Excellent post, too many times issues are abstracted to a number and the real point utterly overlooked. Excellent post, too many times issues are abstracted to a number and the real point utterly overlooked.

]]> By: Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » April Foolsfy links http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9638 Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » April Foolsfy links Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:01:30 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9638 [...] or email. Thanks for visiting - Damien.Women? Who’d have em eh? I mean, er, Alexia makes some excellent points about mandatory gender numbers and women in tech. engineering [...] [...] or email. Thanks for visiting - Damien.Women? Who’d have em eh? I mean, er, Alexia makes some excellent points about mandatory gender numbers and women in tech. engineering [...]

]]> By: Deborah http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9631 Deborah Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:46:05 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9631 This is a great post Alexia. Whilst I did glean quite a bit of valid information and some great tips from Sabrina's presentation, I think you make an excellent point. It's typical of women though - we are constantly striving for equality but then kick ourselves back a notch by not being consistent with our demands. When my career was stopped short by motherhood appearing on my doorstep a good ten years before I'd planned, I often find myself struggling at home with two girls who need my attention. Your curiosity point reminds me of a quote I need to call into focus everyday. "Curiosity is the only cure for boredom. There is no cure for curiosity." This is an excellent quote/advice not only with toddlers, but with people of all ages! This is a great post Alexia. Whilst I did glean quite a bit of valid information and some great tips from Sabrina’s presentation, I think you make an excellent point. It’s typical of women though - we are constantly striving for equality but then kick ourselves back a notch by not being consistent with our demands.

When my career was stopped short by motherhood appearing on my doorstep a good ten years before I’d planned, I often find myself struggling at home with two girls who need my attention. Your curiosity point reminds me of a quote I need to call into focus everyday. “Curiosity is the only cure for boredom. There is no cure for curiosity.” This is an excellent quote/advice not only with toddlers, but with people of all ages!

]]> By: Alexia http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9627 Alexia Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:10:51 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9627 @Gabriela That's the challenge for each and everyone one of us. Parents, educators, citizens.. Everyone in society. @Gabriela That’s the challenge for each and everyone one of us. Parents, educators, citizens.. Everyone in society.

]]> By: Gabriela Avram http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9626 Gabriela Avram Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:42:12 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9626 Sorry for the tweets, Alexia, I missed a few of yours and then I missed the whole context. You're absolutely right in what you say - we are who we are, and I personally don't see any need for women to adjust their voices! The beauty is in the diversity - everyone can decide what to read and what not! I made a sad discovery talking to a few women around me: it can be difficult for girls here in Ireland to embrace a technical career. Studying physics was discouraged in one of my colleagues' all girls school. Another one phoned a school principal, volunteering to teach a programming language. She was told girls don't have to know anything about computers - they're meant to be nurses and teachers. The main problem seems to be: how do we foster curiosity, when this attitude goes against norms and institutions?! Sorry for the tweets, Alexia, I missed a few of yours and then I missed the whole context. You’re absolutely right in what you say - we are who we are, and I personally don’t see any need for women to adjust their voices! The beauty is in the diversity - everyone can decide what to read and what not!

I made a sad discovery talking to a few women around me: it can be difficult for girls here in Ireland to embrace a technical career. Studying physics was discouraged in one of my colleagues’ all girls school. Another one phoned a school principal, volunteering to teach a programming language. She was told girls don’t have to know anything about computers - they’re meant to be nurses and teachers.

The main problem seems to be: how do we foster curiosity, when this attitude goes against norms and institutions?!

]]> By: Alexia http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9625 Alexia Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:50:01 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9625 @Rick: Woo.. thanks * bows * Happy Bday! Curiosity the root of discovery and it's sad to see it becoming extinct. I'd say it's vital for someone in the media, like you are, to be curious about the world. @Rick: Woo.. thanks * bows * Happy Bday!

Curiosity the root of discovery and it’s sad to see it becoming extinct. I’d say it’s vital for someone in the media, like you are, to be curious about the world.

]]> By: Rick http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9624 Rick Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:00:19 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9624 Really loved this Lexi (and not just because I'm referenced in it, obviously!) I've found that my curiosity for just about everything in life has served me well with the old radio and the blogging. Sadly though it's something I see in so few others around me. I think it's a dying art... Really loved this Lexi (and not just because I’m referenced in it, obviously!)

I’ve found that my curiosity for just about everything in life has served me well with the old radio and the blogging. Sadly though it’s something I see in so few others around me. I think it’s a dying art…

]]> By: Alexia http://alexiablogs.com/2008/03/31/women-in-technology-because-we-need-more-labels/#comment-9623 Alexia Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:15:19 +0000 http://alexiablogs.com/?p=377#comment-9623 @Anton Are some of those men and women not interested in pursuing those careers because they were never exposed or encouraged to spend time developing their skills in that area? My case in point. @Anton Are some of those men and women not interested in pursuing those careers because they were never exposed or encouraged to spend time developing their skills in that area? My case in point.

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