For anyone interested in promoting a diverse workplace this presentation is filled with helpful suggestion to make it a friendlier place. It also sheds light into why women or anyone might be averse to applying for positions or holding themselves back from taking on challenging roles.

1. FEMGINEER FORUM: FOSTERING FEMALE FRIENDLY COMPANIES
#femgineerforum
Poornima Vijayashanker
@femgineer
poornima@femgineer.com
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2. INTRODUCTION 2
POORNIMA VIJAYASHANKER
‣ Duke University - Electrical Engineer & Computer Science
‣ R&D Engineer @ Synopsys
‣ Founding Engineer @ Mint.com
‣ CEO & Founder of BizeeBee
‣ Femgineer.com
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Inspiration for Femgineer Forum.
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Format.
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AGENDA
‣ Why is diversity important?
‣ What’s broken?
‣ How can we fix it?
‣ Role Playing & Presentations
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What does female friendly mean?
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Culture of “nice”.
Everyone goes to sensitivity training.
50/50
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Efficient. Open. Respectful. Quality.
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Storytime.
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Minority voice isn’t heard.
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Lack of empathy.
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Why is diversity important?
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Why is important right now?
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By 2020 US Businesses will need 1.4M
computer scientists.
She++: The Documentary Trailer
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Only 30% will be filled by current
graduation rates.
She++: The Documentary Trailer
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“What can we do to attract more women?”
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PRE-CONDITIONS FOR STRATEGIES
‣ Need a supportive environment
‣ Don’t try to change things overnight
‣ Do it consistently
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Understand that there is a difference.
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Success factors.
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Need encouragement.
Need mentorship.
Need clear performance feedback.
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Traditional vs. Non-Traditional Path
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Think small.
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STRATEGIES FOR RECRUITERS
‣ Environment
‣ Recruiting
‣ Identify your company’s culture
‣ Advertise your mission
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ADVANCED STRATEGIES
‣ Change process of hiring.
‣ e.g. Imperial
‣ Think about retention.
‣ e.g. Duke University
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1/2 way there...
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Stop rejecting yourself.
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IMPOSTER SYNDROME
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STRATEGIES FOR CANDIDATES
‣ Don’t be afraid to apply for positions.
‣ Stop waiting for an invitation.
‣ Don’t be afraid of homogeneous teams.
‣ Express your needs early on!
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If you don’t know... ASK.
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Assessing the Environment.
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Does it value everyone? Is it open to change? Speed of change?
- minority of thought - have you witnessed it - is there a plan in place
first hand? that is being executed?
- diversity in roles both
employees and leadership - has someone else - what are steps already
experienced it? in place and when are the
milestones?
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ONCE YOU’VE GOT THE GIG
‣ Cannot be afraid to speak up with ideas.
‣ Be clear about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
‣ ASK for the promotion, raise, or project.
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Sometimes you have to move on to get
what you need.
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Don’t play the victim, value yourself!
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Why we don’t ASK.
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Visualize failure.
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38. EXERCISE 38
KEY OBJECTIVE(S) AGENDA
Recruiters: describe your 30 minutes 1.Formulate pitch.
company, it’s mission, and 2.Deliver pitch.
the role you are hiring.
Explain how the company 3.Ask for feedback.
plans to retain talent. 4.Refine.
Candidates: respond to pitch
with concerns.
DELIVERABLE
Short skit.
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Office Hours
Thursdays & Fridays 2pm PST
Sign up for a 30 minute slot here!
Next Femgineer Forum May TBD
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