IU
January 2015
Indiana University School of Informatics and Computing
SoIC Promoting Women
Welcome Back and Happy New Year!
We hope your spring semester is off to a great start. This newsletter shares information with you about upcoming spring 2015 activities available for Women in Computing. Some are sponsored by SoIC-WIC and some are via the CEWiT student organization known as Women Empowering Success in Technology (WESiT). At every WIC event this semester, we will be giving away prizes and Women in SoIC T-shirts so we hope you will join us to network with peers and faculty.
Why Have Initiatives for Women in Computing?
Stephanie Wethington
"I believe it is important to participate in WIC because of the many opportunities it can provide a woman. Being an active member in WIC can allow you to network with others that share the same passion. I value being a part of WIC because it allows me to promote women in technical fields, empower myself, and connect with faculty, staff, and other women on a professional and social level. In a field where women are still a large minority, I believe it is important to make a network through WIC."

–Stephanie Wethington
Opportunities to Get Involved
WIC Logo
WIC
Women in Computing is a community of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate women in SoIC fields who are dedicated to promoting, celebrating, and empowering women in computing. Our goal is to increase the number of women in technology fields, and to help individuals develop their personal toolkits to manage themselves effectively in work environments where they are in the minority. We host many events to create a welcoming community that aids women throughout their time in SoIC. These events include outreach, professional skills, workshops, and social events.
WESiT Logo
WESiT
Women Empowering Success in Technology is a student organization under the Center of Excellence of Women in Technology (CEWiT). WESiT has 1,800 student affiliate members from across all levels and disciplines at IU who share a common interest—learning about technology. WESiT raises awareness that technology is a very fun and creative field and their mission is to empower and enable women of all skill levels and disciplines to pursue opportunities in technology. Click here to join.
Wear Purple Wednesday
Wear Purple Wednesday
Wear a T-shirt, scarf, earring, pants, or anything else you can find to help promote Women in SoIC. There will be purple T-shirts passed out at many events this semester as an opportunity to get some purple gear for Wednesdays!
Events This Semester
Women in IT Reception
SoIC Women and Employer Reception, January 21, 9:30–11:30 am
This is a special reception where employers from the SoIC Career Fair have asked to meet in advance with the women of SoIC. This is a great opportunity to make good connections in a smaller setting before the Career Fair even starts. All women are invited to this event!
Spring Career Fair
SoIC Spring Career Fair, January 21, 11:00 am–4:00 pm
The Spring Career Fair will take place at the Bloomington Convention Center. Transportation will be available by shuttle bus from the Indiana Memorial Union circle drive starting at 8:50am. Click here for tips on how to prepare and to see the list of employers who are attending. Good luck everyone!
NCWIT Collegiate Award
NCWIT Collegiate Award
Thanks to Hewlett-Packard's generous support, the National Center for Women in Information Technology (NCWIT) proudly opened applications for the inaugural round of the Collegiate Award on January 1, 2015. Up to three winners will be selected annually for this new award that honors outstanding undergraduate women for their computing and technical accomplishments. In order to be considered for the Collegiate Award, applicants must be a member of the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Community, a junior or senior at an NCWIT Academic Alliance institution, and a computing major. Prizes include: $7,500 cash award and a trip to the Collegiate Award ceremony at the 2015 NCWIT Summit in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Students can apply online at http://bit.ly/CollegeAiC no later than February 15, 2015.
WESiT Callout
WESiT Call Out/First Meeting of the Semester, January 28, 7:00 pm, Informatics 150
Join us for our Winter Call Out and the first general meeting of the semester! Come enjoy Baked! and meet women studying a variety of disciplines from education to business, all sharing an interest in technology. There will be special technology demonstrations, so come try Minecraft, play with the Oculus Rift, and FaceTime with Sheldon, the telepresence robot! We will also be raffling off prizes, including a Google Chromecast! Can't wait to see you all there, both new and returning members! Bring your friends! RSVP here.
Ph.D. Luncheon
Ph.D. Luncheon in Lindley Hall 101, January 30, 12:00–1:30 pm
If you are a Ph.D. woman in SoIC, join us in welcoming our newest Ph.D. woman for a luncheon and networking to start off the spring semester.
CEWiT Special Interest Groups
CEWiT Special Interest Groups Launch in February
These will involve skill building workshops and community meetings with guest speakers and more. Watch for more information soon. The two SIG’s are 1) Social Media and 2) Web Design.
Life Balance
Life Balance and Time Management Flashtalks, February 27, 11:30 am–1:30 pm (Location TBA)
Come listen to a panel of faculty and students give a quick flashtalk telling stories and sharing advice about “Life Balance and Time Management.” The session will also include Q&A’s, lunch, and speed networking. Look in upcoming emails for the location! RSVP here.
Hackathon
February Hackathon Sponsored by Pit Crew and Women in SoIC
Stay tuned for more details about an upcoming hackathon in February. Be thinking about possible team members to ask!
Techie Women Have More
CEWiT’s “Techie Women Have More…" Student Conference, March 6–7
This conference is for all women students on the IU campus. Speakers on entrepreneurship, gender differences in communication in the workplace, emerging technologies, skill building workshops, panels of experts, career expo, and more. Program kicks off Friday the 6th with a dinner and then concurrent sessions run Saturday. Stay tuned for more information, but please plan to attend! You can also be a presenter on a topic of your choice—more details coming soon.
Indiana Celebration of Women in Computing
Statewide IN—WIC Conference in Indianapolis, March 6–7
The Indiana Celebration of Women in Computing conference is being held March 6–7, 2015 at the Marten House in Indianapolis, IN. It’s a great opportunity for computer science majors to network with their peers from across the state of Indiana and participants also have the option of participating in a poster competition or giving a flashtalk. Watch for more information. (Unfortunately it is schedule the same week-end as our IU Techie conference for women.)
Women in Minority
Strategies for Navigating and Managing Yourself Effectively in Environments Where You Are in the Minority, Last Week of March (Date TBA)
Come listen to a panel give flashtalks about how they have successfully managed themselves in this situation. Also included will be a speed networking and time to engage in conversations about the topic over lunch.
WIC Spring Banquet
Celebration of Women in Computing SoIC Banquet, April 14, IMU Tudor Room
This is a dinner and a night full of celebrating all of the women in computing. We celebrate accomplishments, recognize faculty who make a difference for our women, recognize graduating women, and more.
Research Poster Competition
IU Women’s Research Poster Competition, April 17, IMU Georgian Room
Co-sponsored by CEWiT, Women in Science, and SoIC, you are invited to either enter the competition or attend the event and learn about exciting research being conducted by undergraduate and graduate women on the IU campus. More details to follow.
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