By: Meg Layton, Leader, Managed Security Services R&D, Symantec
As a female in technology, on the professional side this can be challenging. For example, in 2015, 25 percent of computing positions in the U.S. were held by women. Five percent of these were Asian women, three percent were African-American women, one percent were Hispanic women. Additionally, according to the National Center for Women in Technology's By the Numbers, only 17 percent of Fortune 500 Chief Information Officer (CIO) positions were held by women in 2015. While the number of females in technology careers is increasing, finding a place where females don’t feel like the minority, where they can network with technology peers outside their direct network can be challenging.
Where females in tech are the majority
For thousands of women worldwide, the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, presented by the Anita Borg Institute for Women in Technology (ABI) and the Association for Computing Machinery, is a unique chance for this. Since 1994, Anita Borg Institute has developed a world-class event, the largest gathering of women in technology today, that celebrates the contributions of women in technology and computing careers. The conference offers unique opportunities for collaboration, networking, professional development and mentoring for the 18,000 attendees that range from students exploring careers to senior leaders at the world’s top technology companies. Attendees at ABI’s US and India conferences are joined by presenters that are leaders in their respective fields, representing industry, academia and government.
This has been my fourth opportunity to attend Grace Hopper in my 15+ years of employment at Symantec, where I have served as a presenter, attendee and hiring manager. The best part of Grace Hopper is the opportunity to connect with people within your own company, as well as world-renowned industry and tech influencers. For instance, I was able to meet with amazing women from the gateway security teams in Symantec and discuss shared challenges and experiences with agile transformation, and then in the same day have the opportunity to discuss trends with Megan Smith – U.S. CTO, who is a personal role model of mine. This sort of mix is not something you have in every conference.
Above: Meg Layton (right), Leader, Managed Security Services R&D, attended the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing for the fourth time in her 15 years at Symantec.
Reflections from Grace Hopper
“I would say I found the conference to be extraordinary on many fronts – the sea of incredibly talented women in tech, the rich content which provided valuable insights and mechanisms for these participants to take back with them, and the opportunity to network and experience the collective power, thought leadership and energy at a conference with 18,000 participants.
I also personally loved getting to know more of our Symantec talent as we worked together to greet the multitudes of conference attendees at our booth. Amazed at our strength and ingenuity.” – Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
“The most exciting part of Grace Hopper each year is to see women in technology surrounded by other technical women, especially in niche fields where they may be one of the only. It is inspiring for all and the energy and excitement from this is tangible. Personally, it is heartening to see our employees from across the world get together and meet each other in person, sometimes for the first time, even though they’ve known each other virtually for years.” – Ruha Devanesan, Manager, Global Diversity and Inclusion
“Grace Hopper is not only about attending the conference, but I think there is more to be learned by participating in the making of the conference. As a committee member, your networking starts right there as every committee is a heterogeneous group of representatives from different companies.
Additionally, the opportunity to submit a paper in GHC is an experience in itself. It provides a great avenue for every individual to put their innovative and creative aptitude to test and compete with the best in the industry. Overall, from idea to execution, the entire journey is exciting, challenging and of course rewarding.” - Sushma Joshi, Co-Champion of SWAN Pune, Senior Manager-Internal Communications and GHC India participant
Above: Symantec employees at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in computing. Symantec’s conference booth featured a variety of activities for participants including a book signing and virtual reality tour of Symantec’s security operations center.
“Having been personally present for all seven years that Symantec has taken part in the Grace Hopper India conference, I can vouch for the way Symantec’s 'presence' in the mind of people has evolved. From the time where we were only known as a “Norton” company to being now known as a great “cyber security company” has been very evident.
People KNOW us and want to KNOW MORE. This is very encouraging and is compelling enough for us to keep returning, year after year.” – Shefali Desai, Director - Talent Acquisition, and GHC India participant
Above: The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing was attended by employees from all levels at Symantec, including the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer Amy Capellanti-Wolf.
Turning inspiration into action
The challenge with any conference – not just GHC - is to sustain the enthusiasm when you return to work. How can professionals build and nurture the networks and connections forged at the conference, and carry that through so that the individual, your company and your team can reap the benefits?
Make sure you follow-up on connections you made, discover the tools within your organization to help you do this, make an action or goal list based on what you learned from the event and share this with your manager.
Above all else, continue to grow and learn and be curious, and to share that excitement with others. Passion and the attitude of discovery are infectious.
We are proud to be a sponsor of Grace Hopper and a historical partner of the Anita Borg Institute who continue to help us excite and engage females in technology careers and demonstrate the role a passionate, talented female workforce plays in the future of Symantec and tech.
Above: Symantec offered Grace Hopper participants a virtual reality tour of the company’s security operations center.
Meg Layton is Symantec's Leader, Manager Security Services R&D.