Advice

Gloria Montano

Don't let the current business climate scare you. The internet boom and bust happened in a very short period of time. By the time you graduate with a bachelor's degree the situation could be very different. You can't go wrong with a technical background. Technology is already a fundamental part of our day-to-day lives and will continue to be even more pervasive in the future. People who do not have a good understanding of what technology is and can do will be at a disadvantage, not just in their careers but in the overall quality of their family's life. A computer science or engineering background provides a fabulous foundation. A technical foundation is a firm launching point for most other careers like medicine, business, teaching, public office, etc. I have yet to meet anyone who went the other direction. Yes, you need to keep up-to-date with computer science. Most interesting professions require that you keep current if you want to work on the latest technologies. It is also true that there are jobs out there (probably more) that don't have that requirement and are more compatible with people for whom bleeding-edge work is not a priority. I often advise women who want a career (doesn't matter what field) and family to pick her life partner very, very carefully. Find someone who will support your aspirations and vice versa. To do otherwise can make life's choices much more difficult. It is likely that in your career you willl work for more than one employer. What you work on will also change over time. If you picked well, your partner will be there for the long haul and are in a much better position to help you realize your dreams. Check out the Virtual Development Center (www.iwt.org/vdc), the program I direct. We're interested in increasing the impact women make on technology so that it serves the everyday person much more effectively. If you and your friends are looking for a good reason to be computer scientists, think about societal impact you can make. If you think about it, engineers and computer scientists have done more to change the face of the planet than any other professions. It will be your planet soon.

Advisor: Gloria Montano, Director, Virtual Development Center, Institute of Women and Technology

 

Grace Shafir

You could not choose a better major. In five years time, probably less, those who understand computers will be able to chart their own courses while those who do not will be left out. If you only chose a major on the basis of are women in it, you would be shutting the door in the face of great opportunity. Obviously, it would be great if women were equal, however, you may as well use the situation to your advantage. As long as you're the best, you'll just stand out. Nothing wrong with that.

Advisor: Grace Shafir, Founder of Dare to Dream

 

Anita Jones

I chose computer science and have been so very glad that I did. I believe that the very best majors are those that teach one a set of skills so that one can solve some of the world's problems. It is not enough to think of solutions; it is more fun to be able to make them happen. And computer science -- both the hardware and software sides -- give you those skills.

Advisor: Anita Jones, Director, Defense Research and Engineering, DOD