For women interested in a career in technology, an organization in Charlottesville aims to guide them on that path, and support them once they're in. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
Charlottesville Women in Tech is a group of about 500 technology professionals who provide resources and connections to women and girls who are interested or already working in the field of technology. They're hosting an online summit this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday [Nov. 11-13].
ELAINE CHENG: Part of what we created ourselves to do is provide that support for women to feel like they had a group and a community they could talk to and get advice from, and information and help as they are navigating the idea of becoming a technical professional or being a technical professional.
Elaine Cheng, chief information officer at the broadband company Shentel in Charlottesville, is on their board of directors.
CHENG: We need talent. And … if we only allow men to pursue this career or just white women, then we're losing out on talent we desperately need.
The summit features 24 speakers and only costs $10 to attend. Participants are welcome to drop in and out of sessions as they're able.
CHENG: There are a lot of opportunities in technology, and they're not all programming opportunities, either … Yes, being a developer is part of being in the technology industry, but so is project management. So is design. So is quality assurance testing.
All proceeds from the event will go toward a women in tech scholarship fund at Piedmont Virginia Community College. To learn more and register for the summit, visit cvillewomen.tech.
