How Women Mentors Make a Difference in Technology
Carine Dieudé is the Chair of the Mentorship Committee and on the Board of Directors for Girls in Tech — Phoenix. Partner & Director of Strategy and Entrepreneurship Aficionado at Altima Business Solutions: Capital acquisition, critical path, outsourced CFO, strategic selling, and advisory board for startup, small, and medium-sized businesses.
In 2015, women in the United States represented 24.7% of computer and mathematical occupations, and 15.1% of architecture and engineering occupations. At first glance, it’s easy to attribute the lack of women in technology and entrepreneurship to a pipeline problem.
A study from the American Association of University Women (AAUW) reports that–more than ever before in history–elementary school girls are studying and excelling in science and mathematics. Yet the dramatic increase in their educational achievements in scientific and mathematical subjects has not been matched by similar increases in the representation of women working as engineers and computing professionals. Aptitude is not the deterrent; culture is!
From negative stereotype threats by male-dominated image of engineers, programmers, and scientists in popular culture, to the lack of female role models and lack of identity for women in technology, female students are immunized by their female mentors.
“You can’t be what you can’t see.” ~Marian Wright Edelman
Girls in Tech — Phoenix Mentorship is attacking this cultural problem by focusing on the engagement, education, and empowerment of influential women in technology and entrepreneurship. These efforts are at the core of our mentorship philosophy, which targets professional women as well as our next generation of women around the world. GIT Mentorship takes a three-tiered approach to programming in an effort to create valuable interactions across multiple demographics; and whenever possible, each of these programs is meant to work with the others. These three tiers include:
GIT W — This is a mentorship network amongst professional women that focuses on leadership, career enhancement, and encouragement while also opening doors and creating advancement opportunities for them.
GIT U — GIT U aims to attract and retain future female talent amongst university-aged women in the technical fields by: (1). providing crucial career advice and networking; and (2). introducing entrepreneurial skills that will benefit students as they enter the professional world.
GIT NX — GIT NX focuses efforts on our next generation to help empower young girls interested in entering STEM/STEAM fields by increase their knowledge and enthusiasm for both technology and STEM/STEAM fields.
Together we can change the environment today to create a diverse culture in the metro-Phoenix technology scene and beyond.
Want to be a mentor or are you looking for one? Sign up here.
To learn more about Carine Dieudé , find her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter at @CarineDieude. Be sure to register for the Phoenix Girls in Tech email newsletter at www.phoenix.girlsintech.org.
