The Way Forward: Reflections from Faculty of Science students at the 2023 Grace Hopper Celebration

Last month, three TMU undergraduate computer science and mathematics students flew to Orlando, Florida, to participate in the 2023 Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) – an annual event designed to inspire and empower women and non-binary individuals in the rapidly growing tech industries.

Founded in 1994 by AnitaB.org (external link) , the Grace Hopper Celebration is a tribute to Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, pioneer in computer science and mathematics. Since its inception, the conference has celebrated the research and careers of women in computing, highlighted the contributions of women to the tech world and emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the industry. Participants from around the globe attend the conference to enhance their careers through skill-building workshops, keynote talks and networking sessions featuring tech giants like Google and Amazon.

Dive into the experiences shared by Hitarthi Kothari, Thao Nguyen and Winnee Zhan on GHC 23.

What does this year’s conference theme, The Way Forward, mean to you?

Hitarthi: The Way Forward represents a compelling directive towards forging a path of innovation and progress in our industry. It signifies the imperative of fostering an environment that embraces diversity and inclusivity, where the voices and viewpoints of individuals from diverse backgrounds are heard and actively engaged. It serves as a reminder that as we move forward, we must prioritize initiatives that provide mentorship and educational support to underrepresented groups, particularly women in the tech sector. This theme underscores our commitment to breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute to the future of technology.

Thao: This year’s conference theme is a call to pay attention to the underrepresented groups paving the way in the tech industry. It celebrates women and non-binary leaders as we lead The Way Forward towards a more inclusive and equitable future. 

Winnee: The Way Forward is a call to action for creating a more inclusive and diverse industry by involving individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives. Moving forward in technology often requires mentorship and educational opportunities. This year’s theme underscores the significance of providing mentorship opportunities and educational initiatives for women in tech.

What was your favourite session, presentation, activity, or speaker?

Hitarthi: My favourite session was Indian Women in Computing, and took place in the vibrant atmosphere of the community lounge. It was not just an informative session but resonated with me emotionally. Witnessing these remarkable individuals sharing their journeys, challenges and triumphs was empowering. The speakers’ vulnerability and candidness about the hurdles they've faced on their paths to success were reassuring and inspiring. This session left a lasting impression on me and renewed my sense of purpose. It served as a reminder that diversity, representation and shared experiences are invaluable assets in shaping the future of technology. I left the session with a heightened determination to continue striving, not only in my own journey but also in advocating for a more inclusive and equitable tech industry for all. 

Thao: My favourite session was the Vietnamese community lounge! As a Vietnamese person, It was empowering to witness so many other Vietnamese women and non-binary leaders in the tech industry. The vulnerability, relatability and discussions around cultural challenges we face were reassuring and inspire me to continue striving for success in my career. 

Winnee: My favourite session was Planning your path to Senior Executive, where Gretchen Saunders (Head of Technology @ Wells Fargo) and Tami Hudson (EVP & Cybersecurity @ Wells Fargo) spoke about their non-linear career paths to Senior Executive positions. It was really empowering to hear their perspectives on transitioning into the workforce out of university, making opportunities for themselves in any given role, taking career breaks to focus on motherhood and navigating career changes. It showed me that careers are not always linear and not to be afraid of taking a step back to reevaluate where you want to go – often, the benefits of doing so can compound over time.    

What was your biggest takeaway from the conference?

Hitarthi: One of the most significant takeaways from the conference was the networking opportunities it provided. During the event, I had the privilege to connect with seasoned industry professionals from renowned companies like Goldman Sachs, Jane Street, Citi and Bloomberg. This interaction not only expanded my professional network but opened doors to exciting career prospects. What made this experience even more impactful was the willingness of some of these professionals to go beyond networking. They generously offered to provide referrals for job applications, demonstrating a remarkable sense of support and mentorship. This aspect of the conference highlighted the strength of the tech community and its commitment to nurturing emerging talent. My greatest takeaway was twofold; I recognized the importance of networking and realized that genuine connections in the industry can lead to tangible opportunities and guidance in my career path. This conference taught me that building meaningful relationships can be as valuable as the knowledge gained from the sessions.

Thao: My biggest takeaway from the conference is that while there are so many talented women and non-binary technologists that have so much to offer, no matter where we are in our careers, we face the same challenges and realities. I have learned that because of these challenges, it is more important than ever to support each other and form genuine connections to uplift one another now and into the future. 

Winnee: My biggest takeaway from the conference is from a piece of advice from Tami Hudson: “Get to know yourself and know yourself well, so no one can come and tell you who you are or who you should be.” As a young woman entering the workforce, this resonated with me because we can be prone to seeking external validation and see ourselves through the lens of how others view us. This piece of advice reminds me to make the time to reflect on myself, my work, what I am proud of, and what I can work on rather than always relying on external feedback. External feedback is always important, but we should not let what others think outweigh what we think of ourselves. 

What were your overall thoughts on your experience? 

Hitarthi: GHC 2023 was a remarkable event, bringing together an inspiring community of women in tech. I enjoyed the insightful sessions, engaging conversations and expanding my network with accomplished women from diverse fields. However, the internship recruitment process was intensely competitive, given the vast number of attendees and the broader job market challenges. This experience reinforced the significance of skill development, seeking unique opportunities and leveraging networking to thrive in today's competitive landscape. 

Thao: As my first time attending GHC, I was filled with anticipation after hearing about how fun, empowering and inspiring it was from previous attendees. Admittedly, this year didn’t fully feel like what I had expected. The atmosphere was sometimes overwhelming, chaotic and isolating, especially with a significant presence of self-identifying cis male attendees in a space that is supposed to be safe for women and non-binary individuals. I believe what happened at the conference this year is a reflection of the current job market, which only further proves why an initiative like GHC is so necessary. Nonetheless, I still found authentic connections, meaningful conversations and unity within the struggles, which was heartwarming and empowering. I look forward to seeing how GHC addresses this year’s issues, as I believe it is an extraordinary event that every woman and non-binary person interested in technology should experience. I am very grateful to the Faculty of Science at TMU for providing me with this unforgettable opportunity. 

Winnee: I thought GHC did a great job bringing together female technologists. I enjoyed many insightful speaker sessions, had meaningful conversations and broadened my network with intelligent, successful, resilient women in various fields. I did find that recruiting for internships was one of the challenges at GHC. With over 30,000 attendees, many with similar education, projects and experiences, standing out amongst the other candidates was difficult, reflecting the reality of our current labour market. 

This year, the conference faced unprecedented challenges due to an increase in self-identifying male attendees, sparking conversations about how inclusivity can remain at the heart of the celebration while providing a safe space for women and non-binary technologists to connect and grow in their fields. 

In a statement (external link)  shared on LinkedIn, Anitab.org emphasized its commitment to providing a celebratory space for women and non-binary technologists. And while male allyship is crucial (external link) , all attendees are required to adhere to their Code of Conduct (external link)  and Mission (external link) . “The Way Forward for AnitaB.org involves a commitment to progress and inclusivity for women and non-binary technologists, prompting us to continually evaluate our policies, procedures, and your overall event experience. We are dedicated to bringing structural changes to ensure that GHC continues to be an uplifting experience and provides opportunities for women and non-binary technologists.”

The road towards an inclusive tech industry continues, and the reflections from this year’s Grace Hopper Celebration show how it is as valuable as ever to foster safe spaces for underrepresented groups in the industry. 

Learn about TMU’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion:

• Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion
• How TMU researchers, innovators and students are addressing gender inequality and inclusion