Plexus Resource Solutions’ Post

At this year's Grace Hopper Celebration, I was immensely inspired by the plethora of talented women and allies who came together to amplify the voices of women in tech. However, an unsettling undercurrent tainted parts of the experience. Let me be clear: I don't fault AnitaB.org by any means - they've given us this incredible platform - it's disheartening to see individuals taking advantage of such a space meant to empower. Witnessing men at the career fair, pushing past women to present their resumes and claim opportunities primarily set up for women was a stark reminder of why events like GHC exist in the first place. But the narrative that really shook me was hearing some of these men label events like GHC as "unfair". Let's talk about unfairness. Recent statistics show that women made up a staggering 69.2% of all tech layoffs. Despite the strides we've made, women still account for just 26% of all STEM jobs and a mere 24% in computer fields, as per the U.S. Department of Labor. I'm saddened to see that much of the media coverage is fixating on this disappointing aspect of GHC. But we cannot and should not let this overshadow the immense positives. Amidst it all, I met incredible individuals from NGOs, nonprofits, startups, and esteemed research institutions. The event enabled me to lay the groundwork for new collaborations with organizations that share our vision, and I was privileged to hear stories and insights from trailblazers across the globe. Opportunities like GHC are not about exclusion but rather about leveling a historically skewed playing field. Before pointing fingers at initiatives that seek to rectify the imbalance, perhaps it's worth reflecting on why such initiatives are needed in the first place. I won't let our space, our voice, or our power be taken from us. Let's stand tall, united in our cause. Let's continue to uplift and celebrate one another. In the words of Malala Yousafzai, "We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." Here's to working together, lifting everyone up, and ensuring our voices ring louder than ever. #GHC #WomenInTech #EquityMatters #TrueAllies [Image below of new and old friends - all inspiring women in tech]

We gathered 4 exceptional women thriving in their tech careers for a webinar 🙋♀️ Here are seven topics they provided insights on: 1. How to overcome a career change 2. Is tech right for you? 3. As women in tech, it’s important to always remember that our inputs and opinions will add value 4. How to succeed in a first interview feeling you lack technical skills 5. How to land a first tech job, and why passion is key 6. How to deal with age gap as a career changer Approaching the delicate question of salary expectations during interviews We don’t have room to detail everything here unfortunately. But we made the webinar available on demand! 📺 Watch it for free here: https://lnkd.in/eV9RaHfN A special shoutout to our incredible speakers 🇺🇦 Natalia Filvarova 🇺🇦, Coralie Niggeler, Virginia Perdomo Cordero, Luiza Sadowska 🙌 #inspireinclusion #womenintech #investinwomen #webinar

Interesting story from WIRED about the AnitaB.org #GraceHopperConference, which aims to connect women and non-binary people with tech careers, and help them in their career growth and development. The 2023 conference, held in Orlando, FLA last week, was "overrun" by men, résumés in hand, in many cases preventing women and non-binary tech workers from being able to connect with companies and recruiters. Whilst this was an inevitable result of the big tech layoffs, and I have every sympathy for anybody (regardless of gender) looking for work, surely at this time women and non-binary people in particular need to be supported. According to a 2023 report by Exploding Topics, women hold 26.7% of technology jobs in the US. It is estimated that non-binary people make up less than 1% of the tech workforce. And research by the WomenTech Network shows that 69.2% of those laid-off in 2022 were women. So, against that backdrop, should companies and recruiters have refused to speak to men at the Grace Hopper Conference last week, recognizing that men can still approach employers through all the usual channels, and instead prioritizing women and non-binary people who are in effect still discriminated against in the recruiting process? What do you think? #womenintech #LGBTQ+ #diversity #inclusion #tech4good #inclusionanddiversity https://lnkd.in/ez6i2U6X

‘’ In moments of discomfort is when our greatest growth happens ‘’ 💫💚 One of the key takeaway messages from yesterday’s Women in Tech forum virtual event hosted by Angie Vaux discussing how to navigate uncertainty. This community is something we encourage all our female followers to get involved with, and events like this prove just why. A truly inspiring discussion. Below are some of our favourite words of wisdom when it comes to navigating uncertainty: 🌟Ellie Twigger spoke openly about her experience with being made redundant, she discussed the importance of taking a step back and spending time assessing each opportunity you’re interviewing for to make sure you’re making the right next move. Remembering that a job interview is a two way process 🌟’Write down your worse case scenario’ - although this seems a little morbid, Kate Nina Jones uses the ethos ‘what’s the worst that could happen?’ Which helps you formulate a plan of attack in case things go wrong… and realise things aren’t so bad! 🌟Tayana Bellis discussed if you’ve faced redundancy, the importance of taking a step back, reaching out to your immediate network and focusing on the excitement of a new opportunity. The session gave us a great feeling of optimism here at Esto Search. And reminded us that if you are going through an uncertain time, trust the process and believe everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. Whatever is meant to be, will be 💚

This week is National Business Women's week to celebrate women in business and the advances that have been made. Every year, women in the workforce take on stronger, more empowering roles. They run their own businesses, take charge of the boardroom, and build upon last year's successes. Today, women-owned businesses generate nearly $1.8 trillion in sales. Of privately-owned companies, women own 40 percent of them and employ almost 9 million people. Are there women in business who you admire? Are they entrepreneurs, innovators, or creators? And how have they impacted your career? What can you do to help inspire younger generations of women? Do you participate in job fairs and speaking opportunities at high schools or colleges? I'd love to hear about women that have impacted your careers or ways you help inspire young women. #nationalwomeninbusinessweek #womeninbusiness

Hi everyone! As some of you may know, I attended the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) last week and had a great time meeting other women in tech! From memorable breakfast encounters to meetings on the bus, magical moments at Disney Springs, and meaningful connections at the career fair, it was a week filled with shared experiences and empowering conversations. To all the wonderful people I met, it was an absolute pleasure getting to know each one of you <3 I created this document to explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding the GHC, an iconic event for addressing the world of technology and women in tech. It is important to address all sides to develop a resolution, increase awareness, and come to a mutual understanding for all parties involved. The sections in this document are Problems, What was Done Correctly, Possible Solutions, and Takeaways. Document: https://lnkd.in/ds6VAXQu Here’s how you can contribute: - Comment, tag AnitaB.org, and repost: Whether you're a supportive male ally, female/non-binary participant, or a GHC recruiter, let's collectively expand the reach of this vital issue. - Share your story to create mutual awareness for minority career fairs of any kind - Connect with me to exchange stronger sources and feedback Best, Emily Jiji

In reading the spirited discourse surrounding the Grace Hopper Conference, as detailed in the article 'Why are you dudes all up in the Grace Hopper Conference?' (found here: https://lnkd.in/gVwJPapb), I find myself compelled to contribute to the conversation. This high-profile event is lauded for its mission to inspire and advance women in the technology arena, and yet, it seems the presence of men raised several eyebrows in this otherwise all-female haven. Indeed, one might argue that the inclusion of men within the conference demystifies the gender barriers that have notoriously plagued the tech industry. However, it is essential to consider the intended purpose of the Grace Hopper Conference, which is, at its core, an environment exclusively curated for women. This empowers them to network, learn, engage in crucial dialogue, and carve their paths within a male-dominated field, without feeling overshadowed or overwhelmed. Although diversity and inclusion should be the linchpins of every collaborative venture, striking a balance is crucial. Conferences like the Grace Hopper Celebration undoubtedly play a pivotal role in fostering gender equity, but the need for male allies to attend such events should be assessed through a discerning lens. Ultimately, it is in the interest of the tech industry to redress gender disparities, encourage profound dialogue on such matters, and most importantly, preserve the sanctity of platforms that embody equitable representation. #GraceHopperConference #WomenInTech #GenderEquity #MaleAllies

Are you nervous about a potential or upcoming layoff? Learn to weather these events successfully in our virtual Q&A with Women's Energy Network Global and Women's Energy Network North Texas on June 7th at 9:30 AM. Members and non-members can register today. Get valuable tips and tricks! Don't be caught off guard. Whitney Van Cleave, SHRM-CP and I are looking forward to this conversation. #careertransitions #layoffadvice #layoffprep #layoffhelp #layoffwhattodo

We gathered 4 exceptional women thriving in their tech careers for a webinar 🙋♀️ Here are 7 topics they provided insights on: 1. How to overcome a career change 2. Is tech right for you? 3. As women in tech, it’s important to always remember that our inputs and opinions will add value 4. How to succeed in a first interview feeling you lack technical skills 5. How to land a first tech job, and why passion is key 6. How to deal with age gap as a career changer 7. Approaching the delicate question of salary expectations during interviews We don’t have room to detail everything here unfortunately. But we made the webinar available on demand! 📺 Watch it for free here: https://lnkd.in/eV9RaHfN A special shoutout to our incredible speakers 🇺🇦 Natalia Filvarova 🇺🇦, Coralie Niggeler, Virginia Perdomo Cordero, Luiza Sadowska 🙌 #inspireinclusion #womenintech #investinwomen #webinar

The Society of Women Engineers #WE23 event is this week, and Piazza is there celebrating women in engineering. If you're a corporate university recruiter attending the event, leave a comment below, and someone from our team will reach out. Let's chat about using Piazza Talent to recruit from the millions of students and alumni on our platform, such as women and underrepresented minorities in STEM. Employers who use Piazza Talent increase their female tech talent pipeline by over 2x. https://hubs.li/Q026vn7x0 #WomenInSTEM #WomenInTech #WomenEngineers #DiversityRecruiting #talentacquisition #universityrecruiting #InclusiveTech #TechConference #STEM #InspiringWomen #CareerInTech #TechLeadership #talentdevelopment #DEI #diversityrecruiting