“You’re Doing What?” “You’re Doing What?” “You’re Doing What?” “You’re Doing What?” Returning To A Technical Path MidReturning To A Technical Path MidReturning To A Technical Path MidReturning To A Technical Path Mid----CareerCareerCareerCareer

Cynthia Gaddis, Kelly Malone, Xinlin Wang

SWE 2015

AgendaAgendaAgendaAgenda

�Speaker Introduction

�Factors Contributing to Women Leaving STEM careers

�Fostering Growth of Technical Mid-Career Women

�Career Planning Exercise

�Skills Planning Exercise

�Responsibilities of Mentees, Mentors, and Sponsors

�Work / Life Integration

�Conclusion

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Storage

Virtualization

Advisory

Specialist

Technical

specialist

supporting

Storage SW sales

IBM Sales & Dist.

IT Architect

Combine industry

knowledge & IBM

technologies to solve problems

for Medical imaging clients

Chicago, IL

Stay at Home

Mom

2 kids (2007 & 2009)

Solution

Architect

2001-2005 2005-2009 2009-2014 2014-2015

One email

started the 2nd

wave of my

career

Apply IBM Cloud

Computing

Reference

Architecture to

design solutions for

clients to leverage

Cloud technologies

NorthwesternComputer Sci., 2000

Chicago, IL

IBM Sales & Dist.

Chicago, IL

CHQ, Pathways Pgm

Chicago, IL

Room mom for both kids

School message board

administrator

Fundraising team

Cynthia GaddisCynthia GaddisCynthia GaddisCynthia Gaddis

3

nnovaon

Technical

Strategy

Enablement

Corporate Technology Evaluation

IBM Corporate

Technology

Team

Staff Member

Technology

Development

Process Development and

Integration of next generation

materials

IBM East Fishkill

IBM Mainframe System

Development

Senior Engineer

Package test and characterization Bid & propose,

field support

Cloud Security Competitive Analysis

Cloud SSO Architecture

Cloud Security Architecture for

Utilities

Senior Security

Engineer

IBM CHQ, Security

Systems Division

2007-20092001-2006 2009-2014 2014-2015

Senior

Engineering

Manager Design and build security for cloud

Columbus State U.1995 Auburn U. ‘2000

4

Kelly MaloneKelly MaloneKelly MaloneKelly Malone

FundamentalResearch

Screen new technology

options

IBM Yorktown

Research Scientist

Technology

Development

Develop the high performance

technology for IBM systems

IBM East Fishkill

IBM Mainframe system

development

IBM Poughkeepsie

Senior engineering manager

Technical Project Manger

Design the future

systems,

Implementation,

Design verification

product qualification

and field support.

CHQ Tech. Strategy Speed POC

IBM Analytics Intelligent Video

Analytics, Internet of Things

Solution Architect

IBM CHQ, Research

2001-2006 2006-2011 2011-2014 2014-2015

Senior Engineering Manager

Technical project manager

Use and integrate IBM best

technologies to delivery the cloud

and business analytics solutions to

our clients.

Tsinghua, EE 1998

Amherst ECE 2000

5

Xinlin WangXinlin WangXinlin WangXinlin Wang

Technical Women in IT IndustryTechnical Women in IT IndustryTechnical Women in IT IndustryTechnical Women in IT Industry

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SOURCE: Harvard Business Review, May 2008

“The Athena Factor: Reversing the Brain Drain in Science, engineering and Technology

SOURCE: National Science Foundation, “Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities

Top Factors Contributing to Women Leaving STEM CareersTop Factors Contributing to Women Leaving STEM CareersTop Factors Contributing to Women Leaving STEM CareersTop Factors Contributing to Women Leaving STEM Careers

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• In Engineering/High Tech. women have higher attrition rates

• The attrition rate among women spikes between 35 and 40

Lack of Confidence Lack of Confidence Lack of Confidence Lack of Confidence –––– Contributes to Women Leaving STEM Contributes to Women Leaving STEM Contributes to Women Leaving STEM Contributes to Women Leaving STEM

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Value of Technical Women at MidValue of Technical Women at MidValue of Technical Women at MidValue of Technical Women at Mid----CareerCareerCareerCareer

• Experience and maturity • Recognition of being an expert• Proven track record• Professional identity

• Communication skills

• Management skills

• Diversity breeds diversity• Gender diversity in the high-tech

workforce fuels problem solving and innovation

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Current State of Fostering IT and STEM Skills for GirlsCurrent State of Fostering IT and STEM Skills for GirlsCurrent State of Fostering IT and STEM Skills for GirlsCurrent State of Fostering IT and STEM Skills for Girls

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SWE WOW! That's Engineering

Initiatives to Support Technical Women at MidInitiatives to Support Technical Women at MidInitiatives to Support Technical Women at MidInitiatives to Support Technical Women at Mid----careercareercareercareer

•Companies starting to apply lessons learned from STEM outreach

- Corporate technical development programs for mid-career women

•SWE + iRelaunch (announced Sept 11, 2015)

- STEM Re-entry Task Force

- Form solid pipeline of female returning to STEM professions

- Internship programs to ease transition to full time employment

- Founding members: Booz Allen Hamilton, Caterpillar Inc., Cummins Inc.,

General Motors Company, IBM, Intel Corporation and Johnson Controls.

•Corporate programs to identify & address unconscious gender bias

11SWE iRelaunch Annoucement

Prepare Yourself to Return to a Technical PathPrepare Yourself to Return to a Technical PathPrepare Yourself to Return to a Technical PathPrepare Yourself to Return to a Technical Path

• Search for programs within your company- Technical leadership programs

- Internal certification programs

- Find a mentor (technical and executive level)

- Volunteer for special projects / serve on committees

• Societies for women in IT and STEM- Networking opportunities

• Certification Programs- College/university programs

- Industry associations

• Develop your social presence

• Hack-a-thons- Solve problems creatively in any industry

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Career Planning Exercise Career Planning Exercise Career Planning Exercise Career Planning Exercise

• This exercise will take a total of 15 minutes

• Work in teams of 2 people (10 minutes)

• Handouts will be provided to help guide team discussion

- Description of current role and experience

- Industry trends

- What areas motivate or inspire you

• We’ll take 2-3 volunteers to share their results (5 minutes)

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Example: Career Planning Exercise

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Skills Planning ExerciseSkills Planning ExerciseSkills Planning ExerciseSkills Planning Exercise

• This exercise will take a total of 15 minutes

• Work in teams of 2 people (10 minutes)

• Handouts will be provided to help guide team discussion

- Assessment of current key skills

- Identify 2-3 areas of focus to build skills in new area

- Identify resources and methods to build skills identified above

• We’ll take 2-3 volunteers to share their results (5 minutes)

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Example: Education/Skills Planning ExerciseExample: Education/Skills Planning ExerciseExample: Education/Skills Planning ExerciseExample: Education/Skills Planning Exercise

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Responsibilities of Mentees, Mentors, and SponsorsResponsibilities of Mentees, Mentors, and SponsorsResponsibilities of Mentees, Mentors, and SponsorsResponsibilities of Mentees, Mentors, and Sponsors

• Mentee (protégé)should be proactive in advancing their careers- Own and drive relationships with mentors and sponsors

- Know their strengths, and articulate their wins

- Understand that their career is a journey. Know where they want to go in their career, and how to get there (or ask for advice)

- Focus on the success of their company

• Mentors (coach) offer guidance to mentees through formal or informal relationships

- Career path guidance

- Technical guidance to help reinforce or deepen

- skills

- Sounding board to develop ideas

• Sponsors offer formal executive-level support of a mentee’s career goals

- Through sponsored programs within a company

- Advocate for mentee for key positions

- Discusses mentee’s capabilities with peer executives17

Work Life Balance Work Life Balance Work Life Balance Work Life Balance –––– Tips and HintsTips and HintsTips and HintsTips and Hints

• Take care of yourself- Schedule workouts/time for yourself into your day- If you don’t, the rest will not happen

• Balance your family’s needs- Ask for flexibility in your work schedule- Work from home if possible- Go in early one morning so you can leave early- Block out school/kids sport events in your calendar

• Parent teacher conference, school performances• Sports games, recitals

- Travel in the evening if possible to see kids before your trip

• Ask for help- Rethink clean, divide and conquer or hire help, share responsibilities with spouse- Childcare considerations: daycare, after school babysitter, after school programs

• Fight the guilt- You can’t do everything- Something has to give

• Celebrate your success- Schedule date nights with spouse or social outings with friends

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Conclusions and Best PracticesConclusions and Best PracticesConclusions and Best PracticesConclusions and Best Practices

• There are many reasons to change career paths mid-career, and having the support of one’s family and company through structured programs, mentoring, and sponsorship is critical.

• Socialize your career goals and plans with your mentors, and sponsors. Formally document your plans in your annual business goals.

• Planning for job roles and education takes time. Decide what excites you, identify where you excel, and define methods to close any skill gaps that need to be addressed.

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Day in the Life Day in the Life Day in the Life Day in the Life –––– Lisa Seacat Deluca (Video)Lisa Seacat Deluca (Video)Lisa Seacat Deluca (Video)Lisa Seacat Deluca (Video)

• Software engineer, master inventor

• Wife, mother of 2 sets of twins

• Children’s book author

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Acknowledgement

We have taken efforts returning to technical path. However it would not have been possible without the kind support and help of many individuals. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all

of them, especially to Susan Puglia, Jennifer Howland and Lisa Gable. Susan Puglia, Jennifer Howland and Lisa Gable. Susan Puglia, Jennifer Howland and Lisa Gable. Susan Puglia, Jennifer Howland and Lisa Gable.

Q&A

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Resources and Contact InformationResources and Contact InformationResources and Contact InformationResources and Contact Information

• Resources:

•SWE: http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org/learning

•National Career Development Association: http://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/resources

•The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance---What Women Should Know , Katy Kay, Claire Shipman

•U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ovae/pi/cte/index.html?exp=7

•Top IT Skills for 2015 (Business Review Europe) http://www.businessrevieweurope.eu/technology/380/Top-10-IT-Skills-in-Demand-for-2015

•Hottest Tech Skills for 2015 (InfoWorld) http://www.infoworld.com/article/2866424/it-jobs/hottest-tech-skills-security-forensics-java.html

•U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Overview of Wages in STEM http://www.bls.gov/opub/btn/volume-3/an-overview-of-employment.htm

•IEEE Careers: http://www.ieee.org/education_careers/index.html

• Contact:

•Cynthia Gaddis: chgaddis@us.ibm.com (IL)

•Kelly Malone: kellymal@us.ibm.com (NY)

•Xinlin Wang: xinlinw@us.ibm.com (CA)

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