Computing Research: a Clever Career Choice for Women

The Hopper Colloquium provides a forum for female computer science researchers to exchange ideas, form new collaborations, and connect to a network of women conducting research in computer science.

A highlight at the 2008 event was a panel session of senior women in industry and academia. Muffy Calder, Professor of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow; Ann Light, UsabilityNews Advisor and Reader in Interaction, Media and Communication at Sheffield Hallam University; and Irina Tuduce, a Software Engineer at Google, reflected openly on their careers then took questions from the floor on aspects of their lives and careers in computing:

- What ‘s your top tip for establishing a research career in computing?

Muffy Calder: Pick a person – someone you admire – whether real or fictional, and when you’re stuck with a difficult problem or career decision, ask yourself: “what would this person do?” Then, when you’ve decided what needs to be done – do it. You don’t have to finish there and then, just make a commitment, pick up a pen, and start.

Ann Light: Follow your passion. We all do things to please other people, whether we or they know it or not, and often their motives are very good ones. But if you choose a path that doesn’t excite and inspire you, however worthy, it isn’t going to work. And there are few linear career paths these days: it doesn’t hurt to follow an unlikely or unconventional route to get to where you want to be. And know your audience. Who is influential in terms of your success, and how can you influence them? Think about what other people need, as well as what you want.


- What do you wish you had known when you started out in computing?

MC: I wish I had known how important it is to work with people you like! Being part of a team where you’re valued and listened to is essential to creativity. And when there are great people around you, always learn from them. Ask yourself, what is X doing that I don’t do? Can I be more like them?

Irina Tuduce: I wish I had known how willing most people are to help when they’re asked. As women we sometimes feel it’s a sign of weakness to ask for help, but it’s not – it’s simply learning, asking questions, giving others the opportunity to share their knowledge, which everyone loves to do. And it’s the only way to really learn. If you find someone who has expertise you could benefit from, question them! All the time!

MC: Yes, ask questions, but take responsibility for what you do with the answers. Your PhD topic, for example, might not be something you can define exactly, but your career afterwards is entirely your own responsibility. Make smart choices about where you focus your efforts, pick projects that feel fun, and express your views clearly. And dress smartly. It sounds trivial, but it gives you credibility and authority. And it means you don’t have to worry when the Dean turns up unexpectedly at your door.


- What does success mean to you? What makes you feel you are successful?

AL: For women success is rarely just about cars or money or title. Success for me means being – and staying – interested and absorbed in my work, curious about what’s coming next and applying myself vigorously to whatever I’m working on. And it means having control, and choices – over my time, my projects, my direction. It can take many years to earn that kind of discretion and still be taken seriously.

MC: I feel successful when I know I’m held in high esteem by my peers, the people whose own work I admire and respect. And although there’s always a fear that you might ‘lose your edge’ or run out of ideas, I know that as long as I feel able to walk into any computing class, any year group, and make a decent fist of teaching the students whatever topic they’re studying, then I’m doing fine.

IT: For me it’s about becoming persuasive. If I have the depth of knowledge to build an argument, which I can then use to influence and persuade my colleagues, which leads us to take a new direction, then I feel successful. But it stems from having that deep knowledge, from really knowing what you’re talking about.


- Men seem to succeed on bluff as often as by knowing what they’re talking about. How can we build confidence in ourselves and other women?

MC: For women, confidence is often is about genuinely having the depth of knowledge, rather than just appearing to. And ultimately actual knowledge will get you further than posturing. But even so, women need to learn to ignore the critical, negative voice we all hear and assume the role of a confident, positive leader. You don’t have to feel that you are one, just act the role. It works!

IT: Find a mentor. Man or woman, find someone you admire and observe them, question them, learn from them. Ask for support, then when it comes, accept it.

Associated Link: The Hopper Colloquium

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