GeekGirlCon

September 22, 2014

Make Career Connections at GeekGirlCon ‘14

Written by GeekGirlConnections Manager Susie Rantz.

Did you know: In communities with a higher percentage of women working in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), high school girls are as likely as boys to take physics (and sometimes more likely)? Yet, women comprised just 28 percent of science and engineering workers in 2010.

Did you know: Up to 80 percent of jobs are landed through networking? Connecting with mentors can be a great boost for your career.

Did you know: As early as second grade, kids begin to associate math words with boys? As a “mathlete” in high school, this breaks my heart.

Did you know: Since our first convention in 2011, GeekGirlCon has been committed to drawing attention to these disparities? Last year, we introduced the GeekGirlConnections Program as a way to help elevate STEM career opportunities for women. The program was such a hit, we are continuing it for GeekGirlCon ‘14.

GeekGirlConnections is dedicated to providing career mentorship and networking opportunities for women and girls. The program aims to help connect women with professionals in their desired career fields, as well as encourage women and girls to pursue their passions, develop leadership skills, and enter careers where women are currently underrepresented.

Connections Room at GeekGirlCon ‘14

At GeekGirlCon ‘14, be sure to visit the Connections Room on the first floor. There, you can …

Make career connections with companies like:

These companies are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, and we are thrilled to have them contribute to our convention.

Learn about ways to advance career and leadership opportunities for women and girls by visiting booths hosted by:

FIRST Robotics contestants TaterBotz at GeekGirlCon ‘13. Image source: GeekGirlCon Flickr

Hear how to advance your education so you can pursue new career opportunities at:

Career-focused Programming at GeekGirlCon ‘14

We also have career-focused Connections Panels running Saturday and Sunday in Room 204. Learn about marketing yourself online, bring your art portfolios to receive feedback on your illustrations, get career advice from women working in a range of fields, bring in your resume (Sunday) to get feedback from hiring experts, and be sure to stop by the meetups for women in tech (Saturday) and women in science (Sunday). Take a look at the full Connections Panel schedule by heading here, then clicking the yellow “Connections” button.

If you are an aspiring writer, we have a special opportunity for you! On Saturday, writer and editor JoSelle Vanderhooft is offering one-on-one feedback to four people—and you need to sign up in advance! If you are interested, please fill out this quick form. The first four to sign up will get the spots, but we will keep additional names on file in case anybody drops off the list. Please be prepared to submit up to 10,000 words by October 3.