The 2008 Google Australia and New Zealand Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship The 2008 Google Australia and New Zealand Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship
Despite receiving an email through my university, it was a colleague at work who convinced me to apply. Being awarded the Scholarship has made me realise I can do things I didn’t think were possible. I was able to see that I was actually very capable in my area of study and I should be more confident about myself. From the discussions that I took part in during the retreat, I’ve come up with a couple of ideas to get other female students from Western Australia interested in the scholarship and help out female computer science students so they don’t feel so out numbered.
The scholarship’s connection with Google has also helped me convince people that women can be involved in Computer Science and don’t have to appear “nerdy” to do so.
I was encouraged to apply for the scholarship in 2006 by staff in my school. After I read about the scholarship, I really wanted to support the recognition and celebration of women and other minorities in computing in Australia. I was chosen as a finalist in 2006, and I had so much fun meeting all the other finalists and Googlers at the networking retreat that I decided to try my luck again in 2007.
Through the networking retreats, I am now connected with a network of women technology students and professionals all over Australia. The retreats, in both 2006 and 2007, really highlighted how much we all have in common, from life experiences at university and in the workplace, to goals for the future. I am really looking forward to attending the Grace Hopper Conference this year: more opportunities to meet and network with inspirational women. I highly encourage all female students to apply: the scholarship provides great recognition whilst the networking retreat is a fun chance to meet other women and share thoughts, ideas, experiences, and a passion for technology.
One of the most profound insights the Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship has given me is awareness: of the lack of women in technical fields and the need for greater support. As someone who loved science and mathematics in high school, I never thought twice about pursuing studies in Computer Science at University. I’ve realised for some, working and studying in a male dominated field however can occasionally be quite daunting. One of the best things we can do is support and encourage each other. For me the scholarship provides an excellent medium for collaboration and fellowship, building bonds that will last a lifetime.
I still keep in touch with the women I met through the scholarship and we meet up regularly. Anita Borg has done so much for women in technical fields and her legacy will live on through us. Let us help her accomplish the dream of equality in technology. By applying, it is an opportunity to meet other like minded individuals and create support networks for life.
My application was a last minute decision. I didn’t consider that I stood a chance of success – but a week before the applications closed, I thought “Why not, what have I got to lose?” I decided that the best possible outcome would be that I would be selected as a finalist, and have the opportunity to meet some other like-minded women. At worst, at least I could say that I had tried.
Being a scholarship recipient has opened a few doors for me – and certainly, the pride that comes with being the recipient of such a scholarship is hard to top. I’ve been invited to be a speaker to local school girls about studying and working the ICT industry. The Scholarship has also given me a quiet confidence in myself, and my own abilities that I didn’t have before and proved to be a great motivator academically in my final (honours) year, encouraging me to take every opportunity presented and not to shy away from challenges.