In celebration of Women’s History Month, vital contributions and achievements of women across all fields should be recognized, especially the work being done by women-oriented groups at Colgate University. Women in Computer Science (WiCS), a student-run organization on campus, has created a particularly powerful space for women and nonbinary students interested in careers in the technology industry.
This year, WiCS has hosted a two-part resume workshop, an industry panel with Colgate alumni and an imposter syndrome workshop. To further connect students with future tech careers, WiCS hosted several meetings on how to find an internship and prepare for behavioral interviews, based on the executive board’s personal experiences. The meetings tend to offer a balance of structure and informality, allowing students to have honest conversations with each other while learning valuable information.
Senior Carly Grizzaffi, co-president of WiCS, joined her first semester at Colgate because she was looking for a group that prioritized inclusivity and addressed the gender imbalance in STEM and computer science.
“Having participated in Girls Who Code in high school, I recognized the importance of community amidst prominent sexism in the workplace and academia,” Grizzaffi said
Gizzaffi took on a leadership position as the club’s first-year outreach chair during the second semester of her freshman year. Her involvement and passion for fostering an inclusive community grew leading into her senior year.
“I wanted to help shape the future and bring more like-minded students together,” Grizzaffi said. “After graduation, I will be working in the tech industry as a product manager, a predominantly male role in an extremely male-dominated industry. Now, more than ever, it is critical to foster a support system of other gender minorities in the industry who can relate to your experiences and promote change.”
While 37.1% of computer science degrees were received by women in 1983, this number has declined to just 20% in 2017, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. These statistics show the necessity of groups like Women in Computer Science on college campuses to encourage and empower women.
Senior Aly Bannister, the treasurer of WiCS, reiterated the importance of being surrounded by women in a male-dominated field.
“Our meeting topics range from educational and professional development to raising awareness about issues women face in the field. Beyond the material, the club provides a welcoming environment to engage with women from different grades and backgrounds who are interested in computer science,” Bannister said.
As a senior, Bannister hopes to give back to the community that helped her throughout her time at Colgate.
“As an underclassman, I remember how useful it was to know a group of women who had experience with the Colgate [computer science] courses, the internship process and just generally navigating how I can lean into my degree most,” Bannister said. “I hope to provide similar advice to underclassmen now.”
When asked about the most memorable experience WiCS has provided her, Bannister immediately turned to attending the Grace Hopper Conference in Orlando, Fla., in the fall of her junior year. The conference is the world’s largest for women and nonbinary people in the tech industry and is named after trailblazer computer scientist, Grace Hopper.
“The conference included networking events, keynote speakers, workshops and panels where I was able to talk to recruiters from different companies and hear about research from a bunch of different fields,” Bannister said.
Bannister learned of the opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper Conference from WiCS leaders who attended in previous years. Bannister attended the week-long conference alongside eight other female computer science students from Colgate, and the trip was fully funded through the support of WiCS and Colgate’s computer science department.
“I thought it was such an amazing opportunity to engage with women in computer science on a larger scale and thought it was an incredibly empowering event, seeing women from all different sectors of technology and different points in their career come to mentor and inspire others,” Bannister said.
At the conference, Colgate students connected with Colgate alumna and former WiCS president who graduated in 2020 and was at the conference with her company.
“We were able to hear how her experiences at Colgate led her to where she is now and advice she would give us in retrospect. She has continued to engage with our club, even after graduating, and has spoken at multiple panels. It was great to see how the WiCS community can continue beyond Colgate,” Bannister said.
WiCS has provided a powerful space for women and nonbinary individuals to celebrate their achievements in computer science and encourage others to do the same. Sophomore Sophia Martin, a representative on the executive board, is proud to be a part of a community that shapes a new narrative.
“Too often, women — especially in male-dominated fields like tech — feel undeserving of taking up space or seizing opportunities,” Martin said. “I love how our club is dedicated to changing that narrative. My favorite part of being involved is the empowerment and community [that encouraged] women to step forward, while also creating a space where we don’t have to be perfect. It’s a place where we can still be honest, let our guards down and support each other.”
