144
what's your ratio?
Hi Team! I've been the only female in my data science group (about 12 people total) for about 2 years now. I know we're in a hiring freeze due to covid, but just wondering how I can advocate for more women hires.
What's your ratio of female to male in your departments?
Tawana M.Financial Services
45
11/25/20 at 11:56AM UTC
Hi Natalie,
My background is Accounting Info./Financial services. I am leaning towards technology and learning more about data science and cybersecurity. Especially during this time, I believe having these components will definitely help me in my career path doing what I enjoy Accounting and Technology. I also realize the ratio in my field at work is equal however in my dept. There are three women and one male. Through out the company some offices vary where the number is definitely equal. Natalie did you find data science challenging at first? What advice would you give for advancing in data science who are new to the career opportunity?
Thank you kindly,
Tawana M.
Natalie MorseI help you get into top grad programs and thrive
144
12/05/20 at 6:29PM UTC
Hi Tawana,
Great questions! Data science is challenging, but fun! Do you have experience in coding? The best thing to do would be to learn the Python language, it's used a lot! There are really great bootcamps and/or master's programs out there that may be helpful. It is nice to have a program, rather than just using free guides from youtube (those can only get you so far).
Tawana M.Financial Services
45
12/09/20 at 6:07AM UTC
Thank you, Natalie for your feedback! I will definitely research a few programs.
Cayley Rice
39
11/07/20 at 10:05PM UTC
My team is 2/30 on the technical side, with 4/40 total; my industry technical/executive meetings average ~3%. You may want to consider how you push the issue - overtly, deliberately trying to hire diversity can often work against you as the only woman. Instead, maybe seek out candidates and advocate for them w/o mentioning gender, but focusing on very concrete tangible skills, which studies show help people overcome their implicit biases. Good luck! (Also, maybe Society of Women Engineers)
Natalie MorseI help you get into top grad programs and thrive
144
12/05/20 at 6:27PM UTC
Thanks Cayley! This makes sense! you're right the "diversity" hire is never a good look. I'll keep working.
Tina WebsterSenior DevOps Engineer in Atlanta
62
09/25/20 at 1:10PM UTC
I would suggest recommending female based groups as partnerships to your company. Go to your talent acquisition team and give them referrals and female based talent pools
Natalie MorseI help you get into top grad programs and thrive
144
10/05/20 at 1:57PM UTC
Thanks Tina! Would you suggest "women who code" Or other ideas?
Tina WebsterSenior DevOps Engineer in Atlanta
62
10/06/20 at 2:06AM UTC
I love girls who code, “WIT”, Girls in tech, black girls code. Those are the national ones. Look for some local only girl groups. Possibly wishing the universities in your town.
Orlagh CostelloFacilities Engineering Manager
1.46k
09/22/20 at 2:42PM UTC
I'm an engineer so I've always been the only woman in the group. For one brief moment I had a project engineering in the same organisation, even if not on my team and in my last place for some very heady months we had 3 of us in the same org, different teams.... Getting more women into engineering is close to being my life's work -I think we need to start the brainwashing young though.....
Amanda Spohrer
116
09/21/20 at 7:32PM UTC (Edited)
In my current role, working in product management, the split is about even, maybe it leans more 40/60 women vs. men. However, in my previous role, working in technical operations at a manufacturing facility I was often the only woman in meetings.
Are there conversations in your group about making diverse hires?
Natalie MorseI help you get into top grad programs and thrive
144
10/05/20 at 1:57PM UTC
some conversations, but with the hiring climate right now we do a lot of "contract to hire", and so we kinda outsource the hiring a bit... which is unfortunate.
