Yes, WICS is proud of women. We want to encourage more women to enter computer science. We are, however, also proud of men. We'd like to see more men in the program, too. Hey, toss some more young'uns into the mix and you'd have one really happy WICS coordinator!
This year, WICS focus is bringing CIS people of all ages, races and genders together. We're going to mix-it up, quite literally.
Since I'm on the subject of this year in WICS, maybe it's a good time to share some of our plans and intentions. This is also a formal invitation for you to volunteer to help make these happen. WICS is going to be working on several levels this year. First, we're going to be mixing genders on campus for all of our meetings, events and offerings. Secondly, we're going to reach out to different age groups, from grade-school all the way up to retirement homes, mixing generations. Lastly, we're going to bring ourselves out into the community, mixing our tech experience with other departments on campus and fields in the work-force. Let me fill in some details.
I'd like to make clear that even though WICS stands for Women In Computer Science, our support is extended to anyone who also supports women in computer science. That means anyone is welcome to attend our group events as long as they can respect the integration of both genders in the industry. This is not to say that we won't be willing to hold private office hours for women with concerns. We will definitely be making ourselves available for hashing out issues that arise as ideologies and axioms collide. Even so, WICS membership will be open to any gender. In short, cookies for everyone!!
Welcoming all ages is an important part of furthering our goals this year. I firmly believe that if we plant a seed in the minds of the young, it will change the way they think about computers. I also think that if we can help the older generations get comfortable with a few programs, then they will want to learn more. With a big enough volunteer commitment, we can reach every age group inbetween. A few of us will be going to grade schools to show the students how interactive programming can be. Another group will be mentoring high school students and accompanying them to retirement homes where we will show the residents how to write and receive email.
Finally, we're going to start taking field trips. I hope to get us out in groups. Out to movies, local theater, local restaurants, let's show people that we know how to socialize. We'll also try to find ways to help other areas of the university with our mad skillz. Time to wake this place up!
I hope you enjoyed hearing more about what we want to accomplish. Please feel free to send an email or come by to discuss your ideas and ways that you think we can make ourselves useful.
Already planning on being part of the ACM Programming Competition November 7? If you are, you should definitely come check out some Women in Computer Science meetings and meet some of the people who've done it in the past.
