In 2006 when I attended TechEd, I heard about Woman in Technology (WIT) for the first time. I was there with another (female) colleague and we were doubting on going to such a session. I have to be honest, I thought it would be a bunch of women complaining about their rights not being treated the same as men. So I didn't go!

I like to work with men. When I started my carrier I worked for different companies. Enterprises, small businesses, jobs where a lot of women work and where women are in the minority (like in the IT). First of all, I work in the IT sector because I like to be creative and building things. Also I like to learn and the IT sector changes so rapidly that there is no day that goes by without learning something! (avoiding the “bin-there-done-that”-syndrome :-) ).

So at TechEd 2007 a couple of people of suggested that I should attend the session. So I did.

The panel was hosted by Ani Babian, Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, and consisted of Kate Gregory, Irene Pathy, Lynn Langit, Diana Tataran, Sophie Orwell and Simon Brown - Head of Microsoft EMEA DPE Group. Click here for more info on the session

I was impressed by Ani Babian. When I first saw her, she reminded me of the Charlotte character of the TV serie Sex in the City. But when she told her story about what she accomplished and how she did that. I had to admire her. She has the same attitude as I have. She goes for what she wants, no one will stand in her way. She believes in herself.
And as I write this down I think to myself….this is what generally happens in this world. We make assumptions based on what we see. Instead of what we can do!

But what was it really about…“How do we get more women into technology?”

But are the assumptions we make about technology, the geeks, the nerds the reason why women are in the minority? Or is it the work. That only a minority of the women gets what we are doing? The first time I told an IT person I worked in the IT sector as well, he said… “hmm.. you must be a database administrator or a project manager!” *1. And I was furious! just based on the fact that I'm a woman??

 

I am a nerd! Don't look like one.. (look at the picture and judge yourself), but surely am one! And I'm proud of what I am and what I've accomplished. And my opinion is that all women should be proud, no matter what you do!