November/December 2016
Not many women become technology experts by accident. It takes dedication, perseverance, and a bit more. Some women enter high technology careers in a direct way, having excelled in STEM subjects and demonstrated a high aptitude and genuine interest in technology from an early age. Others find their way into high technology from another industry or career path. Either way, women in technology have one thing in common—the desire to build a future where equality and opportunity lead to greater diversity and better technology innovation.
Oracle Technology Network hosted and recorded a Women in Technology (WIT) panel session during Oracle OpenWorld 2016, featuring Oracle ACE Directors talking about their paths into high technology, and the essential elements that help power success for women in technology.
The panelists included
It’s important to understand the difference between mentorship and sponsorship in the workplace. Mentoring is offering career advice, and that’s useful, but sponsorship is when someone actually uses their professional capital to put you in positions of power that give you experience and opportunity to get ahead. We need more sponsorship.”–Natalie Delemar, Senior Consultant at Ernst & Young, ODTUG President, and Oracle ACE Director
One of the best places to have an impact is at the middle and high school level. Public schools are banging down the doors to get support for technology programs such as Girls Who Code or other meetups for that age range. It’s easy to get involved, and once you do, it’s wonderful work.”–Kellyn Pot’Vin-Gorman, Technical Intelligence Manager at Delphix, Oak Table Network member, and Oracle Ace Director (emeritus)
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Photography by Denys Nevozhai,Unsplash