Focus: Women
[Women in Computer Science]
[Interviews][Links and Resources]
Women in Computer Science
While sometimes people think of computer science as a field with mostly men, more and more women are entering and succeeding in this area in Oregon and across the country. For women currently in the field, being one of only a few women in their computer science classes or in the workplace is generally not a barrier to them. They work side by side and competitively with men, and have unique, important contributions to make that give them an advantage in computer science. Click on the names below for interviews with successful women in computer science. And scroll down for links to programs, cool sites, and other resources for young women interested in exploring computer science and engineering.
Interviews
"Women tend to look at things differently than men. Companies are realizing this and wanting to hire women."
-Olga Tkachyshyn,
Ph.D.Student in Computer Science, and received a bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University in computer science
"I would tell young women interested in computer science to go for it. I wonder why there are so few females in computer science. I have never had a problem with my classmates, or my professors, and I have never had a problem on the job. I was surprised that I was the only female. I played the same video games and read the same books as the other students in my classes."
-Diane Carroll,
Test Research & Development Engineer, Intel
"In high school, I watched way too many TV movies that showed one-dimensional computer scientists as pocket-protecting geeks. It turns out you can have other interests and be good at computer science. Programmers have lives, they are real people, many in their 20’s and 30’s who go snowboarding, have families, have interests."
-Kristen Accardi,
Linux Programmer, Intel
- Also hear from:
- Angelina Todorova
Software Engineer II at Key Technology - Eileen Boerger
Vice President and General Manager of Agilis Solutions - Rhonda Lester
Adjunct Computer Science Professor, WOU - Mary Coucher
VP for Alliance and Business Development at IBM - Karol Rengifo
System Administrator, Metro One Communications - Amanda Hosler
Senior in Computer Science at UO honors college
Links and Resources
Please click here for links and resources on women and diversity.
