MentorNet News – August 2010 Volume 1

In This Issue 10 Powerful Pieces of Advice to Women in STEM fields Filling the Talent Pipeline in Computing Steelie Neelie Takes On Europe's 'Digital Virgins' The Inspirational Generation MentorNet 500 Strong and Growing on LinkedIn Connect with an exclusive channel to 500 of your colleagues and peers by joining MentorNet's LinkedIn group. If you are a current or former mentor or colleague or wish to be involved in expanding opportunity and diversifying talent in our 70 technical fields, you are welcome to join. Thank You to July's New and Renewing Partners Ohio State University Pennsylvania State University Prairie View A&M University Rockwell Collins Santa Clara University Correction In our July 29, 2010, newsletter, we incorrectly called the CRA the Computer Research Association. Its correct name is the Computing Research Association. -MentorNet Editor Want to Share? Do you want to contribute to our newsletter? If so, please send submissions to editor@mentornet.net -MentorNet Editor Join Our List     August 19, 2010 www.mentornet.net 10 Powerful Pieces of Advice to Women in STEM Fields MIT professor Sara Seager shares 10 powerful bits of advice with women in engineering and science on how to succeed and be happy in their fields. In an article in U.S. News and World Report, Seager, a professor of physics engineering, advises students to join a support group of peers find a mentor get involved in a research project organize your time be assertive have confidence look out for yourself don't take sexist comments personally strategize for the future, and enjoy yourself "A mentor is someone who can provide you with guidance and advice," Seager says, and a mentor does not have to be a faculty member.  Seager's comments are part of a larger article by Lynn F. Jacobs and Jeremy S. Hyman who write about strategies to increase female involvement in STEM fields. There are clear reasons why there is so little involvement now, they claim, including negative beliefs about intelligence, the college student experience, stereotypes, self-assessment, and work-place bias, all hurdles that can be overcome with help from a mentor.   Filling the Talent Pipeline in Computing Broadening Participation in Computing Program, the NSF program directed by Jan Cuny, has had major success in recruiting students to computing fields despite the national decline in enrollment in this field. The BPC funds alliances between institutions such as large universities and middle and high schools. Through these alliances, participants have been able to encourage more students to pursue computer science degrees and careers. Advancing Robotics Technology for Societal Impact, for instance, connects 13 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with 10 large research institutions, thus offering students at smaller schools the same resources enjoyed by students at larger universities. Daryl Chubin, the lead author of this AAAS report, says that "these alliances are planting seeds that will benefit both the student's desire for STEM education and higher education's need for talented, motivated students." Steelie Neelie Takes On Europe's 'Digital Virgins' Neelie Kroes, former competition chief for Europe, has now set her sights on its digital literacy.   Kroes describes 30% of Europeans as "digital virgins" and says that it's "important for Europe to get back in the driving seat" in terms of creating and understanding new technologies.   Also noted are the differences between American and European businesses. In Europe, there is less room for start-ups and the failure that often comes with it, much different from the business culture in our own Silicon Valley. Her goal is that every European will have access to and understanding of modern digital technology by 2013. Kroes' aggressive goals are interesting in light of The US's plan to make itself a digital nation: The FCC has announced its goal to bring high speed internet connection to every American by 2020. The Inspirational Generation Christine Hassler Is Gen-Y really one of the more inspiring and inspired generations? How will they stack up in a globally competitive job market? Christine Hassler, life coach, author and professional speaker, reports  that despite the negative stereotypes of Gen-Yers, they are globally-minded, technologically savvy, entrepreneurial, passionate, and take their personal relationships seriously. Most importantly, the article discusses that there was never "a box" for Gen-Yers to think inside or outside of, thus their level of creativity and ability to be coached are high. Message to Employers: a Gen Y employee will be excited about their work, in tune with their values, and willing to learn new things. MentorNet is a 501(C)(3) California non-profit educational organization. Our mission is to help aspiring engineering and science students and professionals at the university level - especially women and underrepresented minorities - achieve their career goals by matching them with mentors and guiding their one-on-one relationships over the Web. We are funded by fees from our campus, corporate, government laboratory and society partners and by grants from public and private foundations.