Shea Cuthbertson - President

Speed Round Questions

College major? Psychology

Favorite summer job/internship? I worked as a waitress at a Seaside Resort & Inn in Maine one summer.

Favorite quote/mantra? "If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun!" - Audrey Hepburn

App you can't live without? The new journal app on the most recent iPhone update.

_____________________________________________________________

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing women in the workforce today?

SC: I think the biggest challenges women are facing in the workplace today are a lack of equal pay, representation in leadership roles and opportunities for advancement. They are also still being asked questions like "how much time are you dedicating to taking care of your kids vs. your husband/partner?" or "how do you manage having a career and a family?" I would be surprised if men were getting asked these same questions.

What technological advances are you most excited about?

SC: Artificial Intelligence 

What advice would you give to your younger self, and to young women getting their first full-time position?

SC: Choose a job that you like and feel purpose in doing. You devote a ton of your life to your career and being unhappy should be a non-negotiable. Life is too short to work a job you hate, report to a manager that doesn't treat you fairly or work for a company that doesn't align with your values.

Taryn Wise - Membership Director

Speed Round Questions

College major? Marketing

Favorite summer job/internship? I had an internship in college where I worked for a fashion merchandising company supporting some of their clothing brands at Dillard’s and Von Maur. It was such an eye-opening experience as a soon-to-be graduate to learn all about the beginning of the e-commerce world.

Favorite Quote/Mantra? “Embrace the journey, trust the process.”

App you can’t live without? LinkedIn. I use this every day in my job and networking with fellow AWT members.

Hobby you’d like to explore more? I’ve been learning French this year and getting involved in the French community in Austin. 

_____________________________________________________________________________

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing women in the workforce today?

TW: Key challenges for women in the workforce include gender pay gaps, lack of representation in leadership roles and balancing career and family responsibilities. Addressing these issues requires ongoing efforts to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.  

What technological advances are you most excited about? 

TW: I think the most exciting technology advances are the developments in AI, quantum computing and advancements in renewable energy. These innovations have the potential to reshape various industries and positively impact our daily lives.

What advice would you give to your younger self, and to young women getting their first full time position?

TW: I like this question! I’ve been sharing this with a lot of younger folks as some great guidelines for someone starting their first full-time position, I'd recommend:

1. Learn Continuously: Stay curious and be open to learning. Embrace new challenges and seek opportunities for professional development.
2. Build Relationships:  Cultivate positive relationships with colleagues. Networking can open doors and create a supportive work environment.
3. Communicate Effectively: Clear communication is crucial. Listen actively, express your ideas confidently, and seek feedback to improve.
4. Time Management: Develop effective time management skills. Prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
5. Adaptability: Be adaptable and open to change. The professional landscape evolves, and flexibility is a valuable trait.

About the Author: Leslie M. Dill is a seasoned marketing professional with experience spanning over four industries. Leslie holds a BS in Business Administration and Marketing from Creighton University and is currently Department Manager at the University of Texas at Austin. Connect with Leslie on LinkedIn. 

November was a busy month for Austin and all of us at Austin Women in Technology. We embarked on a week filled with collaboration, celebration, and meaningful exchanges.

Giving Thanks at Girlsgiving

The month started with our impactful Girlsgiving fundraiser at Industry Eastside, organized by AWT’s Sponsorship Director, Erin Connell, and her chairs, Hailey Cohan and Micala Osuna. The event was not just a fundraiser; it was a testament to the positive influence AWT has had on the lives of its members. The generous raffle contributions from partners like Julie Ahmad, Salon Sway, Blenders, Kendra Scott, and more, coupled with the delightful food and ambiance provided by Industry, made the event truly special.

We are excited as we look to 2024 to continue supporting our members and outreach partners, which include Code2Collge, Girls Empowerment Network, Dress for Success, and Girlstart. Our heartfelt thanks go to our members, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners whose unwavering support makes serving our members and the Austin community possible. Thank you!

Becoming a ConnectHER at Austin Startup Week

The momentum continued with our engaging participation in the Women In Tech track at Austin Startup Week. Our workshop, “Becoming a ConnectHER,” led by Community Partnerships Director, Emily Gupton, was a resounding success. During the workshop, 35 Community Leaders paired up with 35 participants for seven-minute sessions of “speed networking”, where participants had the opportunity to tap into the experience and expertise of the Community Leaders with which they were paired. AWT has its deepest gratitude for the 35 fantastic Community Leaders who willingly gave their time to support the participants and help them along their professional journey.

Takeaways from the conversations with our Community Leaders are summarized below, which further demonstrate the importance of organizations like Austin Women in Technology, FIESTA, Austin Forum on Technology & Society, KS WELI, DivInc, and so many others that provide networking, support, resources, and more to underserved populations.

Startup Challenges and Fundraising Difficulty

Founders are struggling to pitch their startups effectively and secure funding. 

What you can do: 

• Find targeted workshops or mentorship programs focusing on refining pitches and developing successful fundraising strategies.
• Enhance communication skills, particularly in pitching and presenting ideas.
• If you’re in Austin, attend a FIESTA at Capital Factory and apply to pitch to venture capital firms.
• Find a founder and/or funder community, like FIESTA, DivInc, and so many more to build community and find reliable resources.

Lack of Community and Non-Transactional Relationships

Many participants expressed a desire for a more robust, supportive community and meaningful mentorship opportunities, rather than purely transactional relationships.

What you can do:

• Find community! Join an organization like Ausitn Women in Technology, Austin Technology Council, the Austin Forum on Technology and Society, or so many others, to build true relationships.
• Network before you need it! Don’t wait until you are job hunting or need help landing a big client to get out and meet people. Building meaningful relationships takes time. Start now, even if it’s slow and steady.
• Ask for help. Be willing to return the favor. Women struggle with asking for help. If you need it, ask! We are in the same boat together, and more than likely, you will find someone in your community who has faced similar struggles, challenges, and questions. Offer your support, services, or insights when asked. Supporting one another is a two-way street if you want meaningful relationships and community.

Diversifying Hiring Practices – Takeaways at the CEO Summit

At the Austin Technology Council’s CEO Summit, AWT's president elect, Nicole Pletka, led a panel that delved into the crucial topic of diversity in the workplace, discussing how a mix of cultural, ethnic, and gender perspectives significantly enhances creativity and problem-solving. This conversation was a significant step in understanding and implementing practices that promote diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry.

Diversity's Impact on Innovation

The panelists underscored the immense value of diversity in fostering idea generation and creativity. They backed this with academic research and their personal experiences, illustrating how varied groups approach problem-solving in uniquely effective ways.

Addressing the "Broken Rung"

A significant issue highlighted was the disparity in promotion rates for women in technology, particularly at the first step from entry-level to manager, often termed the "broken rung”. Data from McKinsey and Company revealed that for every 100 men promoted at this stage, only 87 women advanced, with even fewer people of color progressing.

Practical Strategies for Building a Diverse Workforce

The discussion provided actionable advice for organizations seeking to improve diversity.

• Partnering with community organizations like Austin Women in Technology, Capital Area Workforce Solutions, AUTMHQ, and KS WELI to discover diverse candidates.
• Employing anti-bias tools to create gender-neutral job descriptions.
• Using DEI-trained staff or consultants to ensure job postings are inclusive.

Retaining and Promoting Diverse Talent

Advice extended to retaining and advancing current employees. Understanding and addressing micro-aggressions that can drive staff away is crucial. Panelists suggested leveraging Employee Resource Groups and community groups to empower staff, emphasizing the importance of listening to their experiences and implementing their feedback.

In closing, the experiences and insights gained throughout November have been invaluable. They have not only reinforced our commitment to supporting and empowering women in technology but have also highlighted the power of community and collaboration in driving positive change. Stay tuned for upcoming AWT and community partner events as we round out 2023 and move into 2024.

Welcome to the second edition of Austin Women in Technology’s Community Partner Blog Series! As the lively energy of ACL and Formula One begins to mellow, Austin finds itself gearing up for the holiday season. Before we get there, the early days of November are full of amazing events and initiatives that resonate with our mission and promise to be memorable. 
We're both proud and excited to co-host and co-sponsor some of these initiatives alongside our community partners. Moreover, as we continually strive to amplify our reach and impact, we're thrilled to introduce new partnerships with Rise, UN World Logic Day, and more! Dive into the details below to learn about upcoming events and initiatives in Austin's wonderful community.
Questions? Interested in becoming a community partner? Reach out to our Director of Community Partnerships + Team at partnerships@awtaustin.org. 

Co-Hosted and Co-Sponsored Events

Austin Technology Council CEO Summit
We love partnering with Thom Singer and the Austin Technology Council. We are excited for the upcoming 2023 CEO Summit on Monday 11/06/23, where our very own Nicole Pletka is moderating a panel called "Building Inclusive Employment Practices: Addressing Biases and Promoting Diversity". The panel will feature 

• Joy Wiggins, Founder and CEO, Equity and Inclusion Consulting LLC
• Ronnie Sheth, CEO, Senen Group
• Vaishali Jadhav, Leadership and Team Development Facilitator, Sanrekhana, LLC and Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute
• Kitty McLeod, Chief Solutions Officer & Master Facilitator, Illumine Wellness

Austin Startup Week & Women in Tech Day 
We are so pumped for Capital Factory's Austin Startup Week happening Monday 11/06/23 to Friday 11/10/23. Jam-packed full of topical tracks, panels, fireside chats, and interactive sessions, it promises to be a week full of networking, making meaningful connections, and learning new things. 
Our Community Partnerships Director, Emily Gupton, is excited to host a workshop on Women in Tech Day, Monday 11/06/23 called "Become a ConnectHER: Speed Networking with Austin Women in Technology". A shout out to all of the community leaders who volunteered their time to connect with participants interested in learning more about the importance of networking, collaboration, and find out how the community has impacted this amazing group of female and female-identifying leaders in the Austin community. 
Register for Austin Startup Week and learn more HERE. 

Girls Empowerment Network Radiant G Conference
Austin Women in Technology loves being able to give back to the community. Girls Empowerment Network is one of our outreach partners, and the AWT board is excited to host a workshop for young ladies in the community at the Radiant G Conferences on Saturday 11/04/23. 
The Radiant G Conferences are statewide, multi-city events designed especially for thousands of girls in grades 3-8 and the people who care about them. With a community building opening rally, an empowering dance party, and dynamic break-out sessions delivered both by our organization and our network of subject matter experts, girls get to be totally in charge of their day. They walk away inspired by what’s possible and with a new belief in their personal power. 

UN World Logic Day
Austin Women in Technology is proud to be a community partner of the upcoming January 2024 event, UN World Logic Day. Together with the United Nations, UNESCO, and Logictry, we will bring together over 1,500 people to discuss the future of technology, society, decision making, and more. Join us this year to engage, collaborate with, and learn alongside the decision makers building a brighter future together.

Programming themes include:

• The Future of AI, Technology, & Business
• The Future of Decision Making
• The Future of Innovation with Venture Capital, Next Gen Communities & Investing
• The Future of Healthcare & Access
• The Future of Sustainability & Climate

Register by 11/01 for early bird pricing. SIGN UP TODAY! 

Other Community Happenings in November

Whether you're seeking learning opportunities, networking events, or just a dose of inspiration, there's something for everyone. For a detailed overview of these events, do visit our community calendar.

Austin Technology Incubator & ACC - EnergyTech For All Summit - November 02, 2023
The summit will delve into crucial themes of making energy technology accessible and affordable, while also breaking down the barriers that have hindered certain groups.
Anticipate captivating talks, thought-provoking panel discussions, and dynamic speed mentoring sessions. Let's collaborate to fuel innovation and steer transformative change in the EnergyTech landscape.
Register HERE. This event is FREE. 

Austin Forum on Technology & Society - Debate on Digital Privacy, Trust, Responsibility, and Ethics - November 07, 2023
Our lives have become increasingly dependent on computing and networking technologies and on the digital data exchanged on our behalf for virtually every aspect of our lives. Powerful analytics and AI methods coupled with cheap, large-scale computing and storage enable companies to develop detailed profiles of everyone, collecting and exchanging data behind the scenes in ways that are often invisible to most people. Thus, we are entrusting the well-being of our companies, organizations, schools, and lives to the digital practices of many companies—with a rapid growth in their capabilities for analysis. It is difficult-to-impossible for proper regulation to keep up to ensure proper usage of this data—and what is ‘proper?’ What should be regulated and how, and what should not (and what are the alternatives)?
Join us for a spirited debate event in which we will explore all sides to the challenging questions in the areas of digital identity and privacy, data monetization and trust, and the responsibilities and ethical considerations we have to consider to determine what is and isn’t fair, proper, legal, and safe. Register HERE. This event is FREE.

Women Building Wealth – November 11, 2023
Women Building Wealth is a one-day workshop on Saturday, November 11, 2023, for women ready to take the next step on their financial journey. Combining valuable insights and practical knowledge from experts on budgeting, investing, home buying and refinancing, we are creating a space to connect with other ambitious women to talk about financial success.
Featuring amazing speakers, including Cristina Silingardi, Monica Muñoz Andry, and Juanita Valarie Neidig.
Use code AWT for $10 off the ticket price! 

Agile Austin - Keep Austin Agile 2024
Agile Austin's Keep Austin Agile (KAA) Conference is an immersive gathering of Agile practitioners, leaders, and enthusiasts, dedicated to exploring the dynamic synergy between Agile methodologies and the Growth Mindset philosophy. Our primary goals include fostering a deep understanding of Agile Growth Mindset, inspiring mindset transformation, offering practical tools for immediate application, facilitating networking and collaboration, presenting diverse perspectives, and promoting interactive learning.
Nominate or apply to be a speaker HERE.
Register to volunteer for the conference HERE.
Get early bird tickets HERE. 

More Upcoming Community Events

• 11/01/23 to 11/05/23: AfroTech Conference. 
• Wednesday 11/01/23: KS WELI EmpowerHER Hour: Empowerment Through Mentorship.
• Tuesday 11/07/23: DivInc & ECN: Meet The Cohort Happy Hour
• Thursday 11/09/23: Agile Austin: Leveraging an Agile Mindset to Succeed in a Changing World.
• Tuesday 11/14/23:   FIESTA.
• Thursday 11/16/23: Austin Forum on Technology & Society: Life Beyond Earth: The Synergy of Energy and Space Exploration.
• Saturday 11/18/23: Service Dogs Inc. - Mighty Texas Dog Walk.  

As the year winds down, the momentum at Austin Women in Technology is only picking up. November is set to be a testament to the collective strength, passion, and commitment of our community. With events that empower, enlighten, and engage, we're on a steadfast mission to redefine the narrative around women in tech. Let's come together, partake in these events, and push the envelope a bit further. Here's to a November filled with knowledge, growth, and memorable moments! 

Hello and welcome to another exciting month at Austin Women in Technology! Our Community Partnerships team has been busy connecting with organizations in Austin to cultivate relationships that not only strengthen our network but also advance our mission to empower women in tech. 

September is full of incredible community partner events! In addition to our Austin Women In Technology Mentoring Workshop on Thursday 09/14/23, our wonderful community partners have an array of events and initiatives that are going to make September a fulfilling month. From conferences to events on energy and quantum computing, and in person events to learning sessions, we're thrilled to be part of the vibrant ecosystem that is driving change in tech and breaking down barriers for women and underrepresented genders in the workplace. You can see all of the events listed below, and more, on our Austin Women In Technology Community Calendar. 

September Event Highlights:

• After Labor Day, dive into an event that will teach you about Quantum Computing: The Next Technological Evolution. ⚛️ Hosted by The Austin Forum on Technology and Society and technology innovator, William "Whurley" Hurley, this promises to shed light on the groundbreaking technology of quantum computing. Register HERE for this free event. 
• Attend a unique, curated event at Soho House called Fyli Founder Friday's on Friday, September 8, 2023. Hear from Natalie Poindexter, the founder of Authentic Inclusion, as she talks about Disrupting Funding Opportunities: Demystifying Access to Grand Funding. Space is limited - register HERE for this free event. 
• Celebrate female artists at a unique art exhibition, Exhibition Empower - Le Femme Art Party, on Saturday, September 16, 2023.  Hosted by local artist, Julie Ahmad, this event is sure to spark creative and powerful conversations. Register HERE. 

• Fyli is conducting a 5-week Personal Branding Intensive from September 11, 2023 to October 13, 2023. Learn from experts in the industry, including Jaclynn Brennan, and Paige Velasquez Budde.  Register HERE and use code FF50 for $50 off registration.
• Congratulations to Logictry for winning the Austin Chamber of Commerce's Austin Gives Awards - Charitable Champion Business! 

Applied Intelligence Live! Austin

Where smart tech meets human innovation, Applied Intelligence Live! Austin showcases the real-world application of AI, IoT and quantum computing in the workplace.

Engage with world-leading organizations, hear from the brightest minds, and get exclusive insights into pioneering AI, IoT and quantum computing projects from all corners of the industry. With a jam-packed headline stage featuring the likes of Shell, Apple, Tesla and Groq, and a curated collection of vertical and technology-specific stages, as well as the free-to-explore technology showcase, attendees will be able to access everything they need to thrive in an increasingly connected future. 

Austin Women in Technology's Emily Gupton will moderate the Women in Tech Headliner "Women Leaders in Tech: Shaping the Future of Enterprises and Society" on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 3:00 PM. In addition, the Austin Women in Technology Board will be hosting a panel on the importance of diversity in the workforce building advanced technologies on Thursday, September 21, 2023 at 2:30 PM on the Industries Stage. 

Learn more about the conference and get your tickets HERE. Use the code AWTEXPO to get a Expo for free! 

To sum it all up, September promises to be a jam-packed month. Our community partners provide meaningful opportunities that empower the Austin technology ecosystem, female founders, and women in technology. Let's make September a month to remember! 

About the Author: Emily Gupton serves on the Austin Women in Technology Board of Directors as Community Partnerships Director. In her day job, she is Chief Operations Officer of FOLIO, a technology company that serves national commercial real estate and adjacent service providers and their clients. Emily is passionate about equity, community building, and the mission of AWT and so many other community partner organizations. You can learn more about Emily on her website or by connecting with her on LinkedIn. Interested in learning more about AWT Community Partnerships or becoming a community partner yourself? Email Emily and the Community Partnerships Team at partnerships@awtaustin.org.  

Ever wonder what sets high achievers apart from the rest? The answer lies in a simple, yet profound concept: the growth mindset. Having a growth mindset may just be the “secret sauce” to your career success.

Let’s take a look at what a growth mindset is, why it’s important to your success, and practical steps to cultivate this empowering mindset.

What is a Growth Mindset?

A growth mindset is a belief system that talent and ability can be developed through continuous practice and learning. In contrast, a fixed mindset believes that skills and abilities are innate and unchangeable. Embracing a growth mindset means understanding that challenges are opportunities to learn and failures are necessary steps towards growth. 

Why is Having a Growth Mindset Important?

Having a growth mindset is important to your professional development because it fuels continuous learning, resilience, and the drive to overcome challenges. Some benefits of embracing this way of thinking include:

1.) increasing your happiness and success at work

2.) unlocking untapped potential

3.) reducing fear of failure

4.) sparking creativity and innovation

5.) building positive relationships

Developing a Growth Mindset

Developing a growth mindset requires intentional effort and a willingness to embrace change. Here are some practical ways to start cultivating a growth mindset today:

1. Invest in yourself. Expand your knowledge and broaden your skills by reading books, listening to podcasts, and/or completing online courses in subject matters that interest you. Take note of how you can implement your new learnings into your work, and then go do it.

2. Challenge yourself. Request to take on a stretch project outside of your primary responsibilities at work or find a volunteer project that pushes you beyond your comfort zone. Learn as you go, seek support from subject matter experts when needed, and appreciate the opportunity for growth

3. Ask for feedback. Ask your peers, supervisor, clients, and direct reports (if applicable) for constructive feedback. In what areas do you come across as confident? What skills do you need to develop? Listen to their feedback, make a game plan for how you’ll take action on their feedback, and check in with yourself periodically to measure your progress. 

4. Network. Engage and learn from people in your industry by connecting with professionals at networking events (such as Austin Women in Technology), reaching out to 2nd- and 3rd-degree connections on LinkedIn for informational interviews, and/or setting up in-person/virtual coffee chats with colleagues at work. Get to know them, ask for their professional advice, take action, and keep in touch.

5. Work with a mentor or coach. Seek support and find a mentor or coach who will provide encouragement, guidance, and accountability on your growth journey. 

6. Embrace failure. View failure as a part of the growth process. When you fail, ask yourself: What did I learn? What would I do differently next time? Adjust your approach and then keep moving forward.

Summary

In a world that is constantly evolving and presenting new challenges, the ability to adapt and grow is crucial to your professional success. With a growth mindset, you have the power to create your future. Start developing your growth mindset today by investing in yourself, challenging yourself, asking for feedback, networking, working with a mentor or coach, and embracing failure.

About the Author: Rachael Leaf is a multi-passionate professional with expertise in business operations, account management, project management, and habit coaching. Rachael holds a BS in Marketing and Supply Chain Management from the University of Maryland. Connect with Rachael on LinkedIn and find more of her work on her website.

How to make friends and influence robots 

It’s been a hot AI summer. Where the buzzwords that would get you VC funding the past few years were “Web3” and “NFTs” now seemingly every company is announcing their AI integrations or the plans they have for them and every startup has AI in their name. 

We’ve all seen the waves of AI “art” rolling across our social media feeds alongside the news declaring that AI is coming for all of our jobs. So…is it? Better for Skynet to start spouting sonnets and relegate us to the boring stuff than to murder us, right? Or is this prediction going the way of the flying cars and hoverboards we were promised for the 21st century that so far have yet to materialize? 

As a fragile human writer, I’m very invested in the answers to these questions and I’ve done my best to sort the truths we know so far from the hype and doomsday predictions.

What do we even mean when we say “AI”

The larger understanding of what AI is usually boils down to knowing that it stands for "artificial intelligence" and has to do with really smart robots or computers. The movie versions, as previously mentioned, usually want to murder you. Not very promising. The news story versions are coming for your jobs, which also isn't promising. There are a ton of ethical grey areas around the way AI tools are currently being built and trained, which— you guessed it!— really is not promising. (More on that in a minute.) 

A lot of what gets missed in the general excitement (and for creators, sometimes panic) around the future of AI is how it's going to get there. "Artificial intelligence" isn't really intelligent on its own yet; it's machine learning trained on data sets that have been curated by plain old human beings and fed to the machines doing the learning.

"There is no AI system that understands, perceives, learns, pattern-matches or adapts on its own...Instead, it needs human-labeled and curated data as a starting point. For this reason, users and evaluators should apply more scrutiny to the training data used to teach AI systems...especially the data's origin, development and characteristics."

That's from a piece about AI's HR implications, but it goes deeper into what AI actually is and what it isn't, at least not yet. (Machine learning is a subset of AI but exactly where the boundary lies is another murky area.)

We don’t fully understand how the human brain works as we think and learn; how it decides on the strength of the connection between neurons. What we do know is that it’s very good at pattern recognition and so that’s how we’ve trained our generative AI: feed it enough information that it begins to pick out patterns, then make predictions about what should come next based on the patterns it recognizes. They’re essentially probability machines, trained on all the flawed communications humans have strewn across the Internet for the past few decades. 

Aside from the different biases inherit in human communication and the outright toxicity of some corners of the internet, more trouble comes from the fact that these clever little robots sometimes “hallucinate”– or simply make things up– to fill in the blanks. The bigger trouble is that they can do that much faster and at much greater scale than human beings can. 

The ethics of AI 

While I’m far from the first person to question the ethics of AI in art and writing, I am here to add my thoughts to the growing pile. 

A meme from Tumblr whose origins I, ironically, could not discern

Earlier this summer at a book club brunch the topic of ChatGPT came up and someone mentioned this interview excerpt with Erykah Badu about it. Badu's response to the words from the chat bot of the moment's description of her was "I feel like my ancestors wrote that."

But it wasn't the ancestors and it wasn't the chat bot either, not really; it just pulled together what it knew about her. And where did it pull that from?

"The model was trained using a massive dataset of text from the internet, totaling 570GB and 300 billion words. This included sources such as books, webtexts, Wikipedia, and articles."

—ChatGPT: How Much Data Is Used in the Training Process?

That means it pulled from a lot of profiles, articles, and interviews journalists and writers have crafted about Badu over the course of her career. People who spent hours of their lives researching, and considering, and writing, who don't get any credit for their work teaching a robot how to string human language together in a way that mimics original thought.

Because that's all it is: a reflection of all the things it has been fed, constantly rearranged.

There's a lot of ways that's great, even for writers, helping to jumpstart drafts and shorten workflows when the only constant in demands for work seems to be both "more" and "faster".

I'd just like to see the machines give a little credit back to their creators and inadvertent trainers, which means the humans creating it are the ones that have to teach it to do that– and some are already working on it. 

More concerning than attribution is the potential for these tools to create disinformation– and distribute it– at scale. While eventually we may have robots fighting robots on the disinformation front, current interventions in any toxicity that AI has picked up from its human creators has had to be combatted with human labor– exploited human labor.

There’s also the environmental impact to consider as these technologies grow and as we experience another literal hot girl summer. This technology is exciting, but it isn’t magic, and we have to acknowledge and address its flaws as we incorporate it into our lives. 

Final thoughts 

In the end, generative AI is just another tool we have in our toolbelts and how we collectively decide to use it will influence its final outcomes. 

But maybe tell your robot vacuum that you love it (and be ready to fact-check it if it starts updating you on the daily news), just in case.

Resources: 

• Instagram post 

• The Algorithm: AI-generated art raises tricky questions about ethics, copyright, and security 

• Not All AI Is Really AI: What You Need to Know

• Tweet

• ChatGPT: How Much Data Is Used in the Training Process? 

• The Godfather of AI has some regrets 

• ChatGPT fails: 13 common errors and mistakes you need to know 

• The carbon impact of artificial intelligence

• Exclusive: OpenAI Used Kenyan Workers on Less Than $2 Per Hour to Make ChatGPT Less Toxic

• Summer 2023

• AI21 Labs intros an AI writing assistant that cites its sources

AI has picked up from its human creators has had to be combatted with human labor– exploited human labor.

There’s also the environmental impact to consider as these technologies grow and as we experience another literal hot girl summer. This technology is exciting, but it isn’t magic, and we have to acknowledge and address its flaws as we incorporate it into our lives. 

Final thoughts 

In the end, generative AI is just another tool we have in our toolbelts and how we collectively decide to use it will influence its final outcomes. 

But maybe tell your robot vacuum that you love it (and be ready to fact-check it if it starts updating you on the daily news), just in case. 

About the Author: Sarah A. Parker is a freelance writer and the founder/owner of Sparker Works LLC. She brings 14 years of experience in the tech industry at B2B SaaS companies (including Bazaarvoice, Union Metrics, TrendKite, Cision, MURAL, Productboard, and more) to her clients and to this blog. She holds a BS and an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and has guest lectured classes at UT and Texas State University in addition to speaking at Social Media Week Austin and at the Ragan Social Media conference. She's an enthusiast of book clubs, trail running, large dogs, and trivia nights. You can find her work and more on her website.

In a world full of increasingly reactionary politics to the mere existence of people that don’t neatly fit outdated stereotypes of How To Be In This World, it feels like a very good time to explore how women in tech can be better allies to other gender identities around us. 

If you were ever the weird kid in school, you’ve got a tiny idea about what it’s like when the world treats you like an outsider. And if you weren’t, you saw how the weird kids got treated. 

Let’s channel that empathy into better allyship.

Listen 

The best thing an ally can do is listen to the people they want to support, learning from their lived experiences. No group of people is a monolith and individual preferences and comfort levels should always be considered. 

If you’re not sure where to start, this episode of the Work Appropriate podcast with Morgan Givens on gender identity at work is a great place. (There’s a list of more orgs and their resources to check out at the end of this post.) 

Actually be inclusive, not performative  

This is not high school and we are not Mean Girls. Everyone can sit with us! 

Just saying “everyone is welcome!” isn’t enough. If you’re not sure if someone wants to be included in a women in tech type of event, err on the side of issuing an invitation and let them make that decision themselves. You might need to invite them several times before they feel comfortable being included in the group, or they might make it clear at the beginning they are not interested. 

It might all be very awkward and that is okay! 

Extend an open invitation without any pressure and let them know they won’t be on their own if they decide to attend – they already know you and you can introduce them around, or they can bring someone else with them if that will make them more comfortable. 

Don’t make it weird 

If you mess up someone’s pronouns, for example, don’t profusely apologize. Say you’re sorry briefly and work hard to get it right in the future. Practice on your own if you have to!

The point is to not put the burden on the other person to make you feel better about your slip-up. If it’s someone you’ve known a long time a certain way, it can be hard to shift your perspective and they know that. Give yourself grace. 

If someone does get mad at you for messing up when you’re truly trying your best, understand that everyone has bad days and gets snappy. Grant them grace and always operate from the perspective that it’s not about you. 

Speak up when you can 

This is a hard thing and it’s not for everyone in every situation – if you ever see an opportunity to speak up but think doing so would escalate the situation and/or make you feel unsafe, you have to carefully weigh that decision. It’s one that only you can make for yourself and will depend a lot on the work environment you’re operating in. 

A very open, accepting office environment will make it easier to speak up while one that is hostile – full of “edgy jokes” at the watercooler, for example – will obviously not. Speaking up will also depend on your relationships with your colleagues, especially if someone is senior to you. If you are a senior colleague in a situation, this is a great time to use your position for good. If you’re not sure how, start with this post from Out in Tech on Intl. Pronouns Day: Five Ways to Establish A Safe and Respectful Space for All Employees. 

In a lot of situations, you can simply speak up on behalf of someone who is not present, or who is but does not feel comfortable correcting a co-worker who’s intentionally misgendering them again, for example. It doesn’t have to be complicated or involved; simply correct the person and move on: “That’s not how they prefer to be addressed. Now X, didn’t you have something you wanted to show me?” and get out of the situation.  

If you do this and the person you’ve spoken up for asks you not to do so again in the future, respect that request. Do not make it about you trying to do a good thing; they may have reasons for asking you to stop that they are not comfortable sharing with you and they do not owe you an explanation. 

And know when to keep quiet   

Related to the last point, if someone has felt comfortable enough with you as a colleague and friend to come out to you but they are not yet out to the rest of the office, do not share that information with anyone else. 

Choosing when – or even if – to come out at work is a personal decision and it can be a difficult one. Out in Tech has a fantastic blog post about the considerations people should take before coming out at the office and it offers some great perspective if you’re not someone who has ever had to think about not being able to be your whole self at work. 

Keep listening and learning 

Want more resources? 

Look for organizations that support LGBTQ+ tech workers and check out their websites, blogs and social media to see how you can best support them. Orgs like Out in Tech, Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, LGBT Tech, Pride in STEM, Queer Design Club, Queer Tech Club, Trans*H4ck and TransTech Social Enterprises are all great places to start.

Note: 

The author is a cis woman writing for other cis women who want to be better allies. If we've missed something, we'd love to hear about it! Send your comments, questions, and feedback to seo@awtaustin.org

Resources: 

• Your Identity Is Not A Problem with Morgan Givens, Work Appropriate podcast 

• Lesbians Who Tech & Allies

• Out in Tech

• • Intl. Pronouns Day: Five Ways to Establish A Safe and Respectful Space for All Employees 

  • Coming Out As LGBTQ+ at Work: 5 Steps to Help You Decide 

• 14 organizations that support LGBTQ+ tech workers

About the Author: Sarah A. Parker is a freelance writer and the founder/owner of Sparker Works LLC. She brings 14 years of experience in the tech industry at B2B SaaS companies (including Bazaarvoice, Union Metrics, TrendKite, Cision, MURAL, Productboard, and more) to her clients and to this blog. She holds a BS and an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and has guest lectured classes at UT and Texas State University in addition to speaking at Social Media Week Austin and at the Ragan Social Media conference. She's an enthusiast of book clubs, trail running, large dogs, and trivia nights. You can find her work and more on her website. 

Searching Google for “greatest historical leaders” or “most influential leaders” will garner a variety of lists outlined by different individuals.  Many of these lists are similar in who they give recognition to including everyone from Gandhi to Hitler. 

While the leaders on the list may vary in what one may consider ethical, there’s one thing that they all have in common and that is the fact that they are all men. Lists that contain female leaders require further scrolling or the use of the word “women’ or “female” in the initial search. 

It’s important to reflect on this as it highlights a common theme in many societies and that is the inequality of women.  While the Google search results reflect a lack of equality in the recognition of women in leadership positions, it is also reflective of the lack of opportunities women have been given throughout history to hold positions of power. In many instances women have been forbidden from obtaining an education or were brought up with the belief that an education or employment wasn’t important for women.  Fortunately, there has been no shortage of women leaders in history who have fought to gain equality for women everywhere.  

Millicent Garrett Fawcett 

Millicent Garrett Fawcett was born in 1847 in the county of Suffolk, England. Her father was not only a wealthy grain and coal merchant but was also a very liberal man who expected his children, including his daughters, to remain knowledgeable of and be capable of discussing current politics, both domestic and international.

In addition to raising the children, Millicent’s mother also helped run the family business, setting an example of a woman’s role outside of the home and encouraging an environment of independence. Millicent wasn’t the only female in the family to push the boundaries of societal norms; her sister was the first woman in Britain to train as a doctor. With her family background, it’s easy to see how she gained the confidence necessary to become the woman and leader that she was. 

In 1867 Millicent married Henry Fawcett, who was a professor of political economy at the University of Cambridge. Having come from a similar background as Millicent, his political leanings were liberal, and he remained active in politics. 

Henry lost his eyesight in a shooting accident, and Millicent supported his writing projects and his work as a radical, independent-minded Member of Parliament. In time, Millicent went on to write an economics textbook called “Political Economy for Beginners” intended to simplify economics to be better understood by elementary aged children. She enjoyed great success in this niche market with the support of her husband and his connections. 

At twenty-two years old, Millicent began her political career in London at the first women’s suffrage meeting. She did not believe that women’s emancipation was something that could happen with dramatic change in law but was something that would happen over time.

As a result, she sought out little wins in hopes that one small change after another would lead to the final goal.  She also didn’t believe in ruffling feathers to sway opinion to her cause; instead she presented her arguments to appeal to the general public and, more specifically, men, as they were the ones that would be voting. 

In her time, Millicent worked for women’s emancipation in many areas but most passionately in women’s right to vote, equal opportunities for education and employment, and protection against sexual exploitation. As the leading member of the National Vigilance Association, she worked as president of its Preventive Sub-committee at attempting to reduce the incidence of prostitution. While serving with the National Vigilance Association, she also helped to improve the lives of child actors on the London stage and get a law passed to raise the age of consent for marriage to 12 for Indian girls. 

The women’s suffrage movement faced many trials over the years, including division from within due to varying opinions, but in 1899 the suffragists had to pause their efforts when the war began in South Africa.  After the war, efforts were renewed and while they may not have had a great impact on women’s rights during their time, they helped to pave the way for future generations.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was born in 1933 in the state of New York 13 years after the 19^th amendment to the United States constitution was passed granting equal rights to American women. Ruth’s mother, having marched in women’s suffrage parades at the age of 15 and 16 herself, was a huge influence on Ruth.  While the passing of the 19^th amendment was the first step of many to help bring equality to women in the U.S., more work is continuously needed to reach that goal. 

In 1956 Ruth was one of 500 students to begin classes at Harvard Law School. While the school had opened its doors to women in 1950, at the time Ruth began school she was still 1 of only 9 other women to begin classes that year.  Even with the admittance of women, the school was still predominantly male. 

After graduation, gaining employment did not come easy to Ruth as many firms were still not hiring female lawyers.  Ruth was fortunate that Gerry Gunther, a teacher from Columbia, recognized her potential and placed several calls to judges he had existing connections with.  One judge, initially reluctant because Ruth had a 4-year-old daughter, finally decided to give her a chance.

Ruth was fortunate to be married to a man, a lawyer himself, who recognized her potential and what she was fighting for.  As a result, in the late 1960s, when Ruth co-founded the American Civil Liberties Union Women’s Rights Project, her husband stepped back from his own career to take over the responsibilities at home so that she could remain focused on her endeavors. Ruth was known to say that the most important career choice she made was in choosing the right partner, and her husband has said that his most important career choice was supporting her. 

As Ruth had to overcome the obstacles of being a woman in a role typically help by men, she did so while battling cancer on four different occasions which she did with grace and dignity.  Knowing that she could not step away from her position, she continued to work through her treatments.  

Ruth is now remembered as the “Notorious RBG” thanks to a book written by a law school graduate and journalist which included the summary of Ruth’s dissenting opinion on the Supreme Court’s decision of Shelby County v. Holder. Ruth was known for her dissenting opinions and her signature dissent collar is easily recognized by most people today. 

While Ruth admitted to being a feminist, she did not believe laws should enforce women’s rights, but gender-neutral rights.  She recognized that the equality in our society wasn’t just the belief that a woman’s place is in the home but also in the fact that a man’s place was not in the home. In an interview she provided multiple examples of cases where men had to fight for equal rights as a parent due to social security and other programs being designed to help women, but not men in the same position. 

Malala Yousafzai

Malala was born in Pakistan in 1997 and became an activist for girls and women’s rights at the age of 11 when she began writing a blog for the BBC.  The blog was originally anonymous and detailed the real-life fears and struggles of a young girl living under Taliban rule. By the time she was 15 she’d gained much recognition and was seen as a threat to the Taliban who attempted to assassinate her. Fortunately, she survived. 

The most influential force in Malala’s life was her father; an outspoken activist for children’s right to an education himself, he continually supported Malala in her efforts. The assassination attempt did not deter her from her mission; instead, she continued to speak out using her newfound fame as a platform for her agenda. She has used her story to bring awareness to the rights of young girls throughout the world to obtain an education speaking in media interviews and in front of global leaders. In addition to many other awards, Malala is the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace prize. 

Having now graduated from Oxford University, Malala continues to use storytelling to influence the world and fight for equality, specifically when it comes to education for girls.    

In researching these women, as well as many other women leaders, a common theme becomes obvious; change cannot come from one big act but is the accumulation of small acts that influence a continued growth in people and in cultures.  While all three of these women are from different cultures, and different generations, each one was fighting to continue the improvement of women in their societies and were able to do so thanks to the support of their families. 

It is also clear that each one recognized the importance of providing women with equal opportunities for education to truly better society.  Most importantly, they all saw that equality for women would have a greater impact on our world and making the world a better place for everyone is the real goal for each of them.

About the Author: Michelle R Schoenebeck, MBA is the Marketing Director at Austin Women in Technology and is an accomplished product management leader with multifaceted skills including 15+ years in product management with 13 years in enterprise SAAs. She holds a bachelor's degree from Texas State University and an MBA from Fitchburg State University with a dual concentration in management and marketing. Michelle is a Tournament Director and Division 4 Commissioner with the Austin Coed Soccer Association and is currently fostering a rambunctious Boxer puppy. Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States if you, ironically, were not aware. For the most part we are supposed to pretend our feelings don't exist inside of work hours here (the exception might be if you're a therapist) and corporate support of mental health is pretty close to this comic that floats around on social media this time of year. 

A big piece of mental health is being given the space and the grace to process things like our feelings— including grief. And we are notably, as a society, pretty terrible at grief. We shove it down, we soldier on. We try our best to ignore it or stand by awkwardly when someone in our orbit is going through it. 

"I am here for you!" we say, because what else do you say? We are given so few tools for this. 

It's even hard to allow the label of grief for kinds of loss that don't revolve around the classics of grandmothers and maybe dogs. Anne Helen Petersen talked about it in her recent piece This Is Not Just A Post About Dog Grief: 

"It’s not normal, or ironic, or even slightly funny that we’re this bad at making space to process loss and suffering...We have so little language to describe the onset of grief in our lives, and so little expectation of accommodation for it. We don’t know how to be still in our sadness. And if you won’t allow yourself that grace, it’s so difficult to authentically extend it to others." 

So I'd like for this post to be that— an authentic extension of space to grieve, should you need it. The tech industry has been rife with loss recently and a loss of a job or an opportunity is still a loss. The grief surrounding it can be big or small, but either one deserves its space to be felt. 

So grieve your layoff. 

Grieve your second layoff. 

Grieve your rejection email. 

Grieve that missed or canceled opportunity. 

Grieve your ghosting by that company or recruiter. 

Grieve that lost client. 

This is grief, too. 

Everything does not happen for a reason. I am not here for you, because I am not here to fix you. Feelings are not something to be fixed. I am here with you, for all that I am a somewhat faceless entity behind a blog. 

"Some things in life cannot be fixed. They can only be carried." 

The good news is, you don't have to carry it alone. Take a little time for the journey and lay the foundation for your grief, so you can move on. 

And if you need more support than the space a blog post can provide,

start here

About the Author: Sarah A. Parker is a freelance writer and the founder/owner of Sparker Works LLC. She brings 14 years of experience in the tech industry at B2B SaaS companies (including Bazaarvoice, Union Metrics, TrendKite, Cision, MURAL, Productboard, and more) to her clients and to this blog. She holds a BS and an MA in Communication Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and has guest lectured classes at UT and Texas State University in addition to speaking at Social Media Week Austin and at the Ragan Social Media conference. She's an enthusiast of book clubs, trail running, large dogs, and trivia nights. You can find her work and more on her website.