Hello!
It's been a long time since I've written on this space.
One year ago, I did something crazy and took up CS3216: Software engineering on modern platforms. I met 34 other people who made the same crazy decision and the rest is history. I was intimidated by the overwhelming passion that my classmates exude at that time. They discussed new and upcoming technology, they dissed (and hissed at) outdated and old fashioned ways of software programming. I was just wide eyed, soaking in all that was happening and wondering how and why I was there.
I learnt a lot on my own. Did plenty of programming, and plenty of thinking. The course turned my rosy "studyhardandgetgoodgrades" world upside down.
But today, I just want to write this post about my experience as a woman in IT.
At some points in my undergraduate years, I wrestled with the thought that ladies will always be perceived as inferior in computing to the gentlemen out there. I fought that thought, but it was not easy to convince myself. I felt discouraged when I could not keep up and still unsure when I could.
I have female friends from other faculties who would cringe at my laptop screen filled with courier sans font size 8 codes. They'd try to read for about half a second before they'd exclaim that its impossible to read. I would then try to explain what I'm trying to accomplish. I felt like an odd girl, and sometimes questioned myself about my passion for IT if it was real. But how could it not be real? I had dabbled in programming since 12.. And then another half of me would argue that my passion wouldn't compare against those guys I see in class either!
Google Exec to Girls: Tech needs you
Then I stumbled onto the Google Anita Borg Scholarship webpage and was deeply impressed by the motivation behind the scholarship. I applied while I was on my exchange in Korea. I was notified that I was selected (it was an euphoric moment of my life).
Google Anita Borg Scholarship Retreat video
I'm really looking forward to going to Sydney for the retreat. I'm nervous too! I believe it will be another eye opening experience for me.
I really want to thank everyone who was a part of my CS3216 experience. The experience put me through fire, refining me into being ready to take on life's challenges in technology.
To all students taking it this sem, get burned and be refined into gold.
It's been a long time since I've written on this space.
One year ago, I did something crazy and took up CS3216: Software engineering on modern platforms. I met 34 other people who made the same crazy decision and the rest is history. I was intimidated by the overwhelming passion that my classmates exude at that time. They discussed new and upcoming technology, they dissed (and hissed at) outdated and old fashioned ways of software programming. I was just wide eyed, soaking in all that was happening and wondering how and why I was there.
I learnt a lot on my own. Did plenty of programming, and plenty of thinking. The course turned my rosy "studyhardandgetgoodgrades" world upside down.
But today, I just want to write this post about my experience as a woman in IT.
At some points in my undergraduate years, I wrestled with the thought that ladies will always be perceived as inferior in computing to the gentlemen out there. I fought that thought, but it was not easy to convince myself. I felt discouraged when I could not keep up and still unsure when I could.
I have female friends from other faculties who would cringe at my laptop screen filled with courier sans font size 8 codes. They'd try to read for about half a second before they'd exclaim that its impossible to read. I would then try to explain what I'm trying to accomplish. I felt like an odd girl, and sometimes questioned myself about my passion for IT if it was real. But how could it not be real? I had dabbled in programming since 12.. And then another half of me would argue that my passion wouldn't compare against those guys I see in class either!
Google Exec to Girls: Tech needs you
Then I stumbled onto the Google Anita Borg Scholarship webpage and was deeply impressed by the motivation behind the scholarship. I applied while I was on my exchange in Korea. I was notified that I was selected (it was an euphoric moment of my life).
Google Anita Borg Scholarship Retreat video
I'm really looking forward to going to Sydney for the retreat. I'm nervous too! I believe it will be another eye opening experience for me.
I really want to thank everyone who was a part of my CS3216 experience. The experience put me through fire, refining me into being ready to take on life's challenges in technology.
To all students taking it this sem, get burned and be refined into gold.
