SAN MARCOS (January 8, 2014) – Palomar College faculty and staff members Lillian Payn and Mireya Gutierrez-Aguero are coordinating an event designed to help women connect with careers in technology. High Tech = High Pay For Women: Your Career Path will be held on Saturday,
February 1 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Women’s Museum of California in Liberty Station at 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 103, San Diego 92106.
Sponsored by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) – San Diego Branch, the event is designed to offer “valuable insight and guidance to women seeking entry into the workforce as well as those seeking career growth,” Payn said. “AAUW is excited about technology as a means to reach one’s career potential through competitive skill-building since all career paths now require computer and other technical skills. High-tech skills will increase in demand in the 21st century economy.”
Attendees will hear from a panel of “high-performing women” who will share their career paths. “Inspiring role models in technical careers are important because the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the wide range of high tech industries pay considerably more than other industries, but women are notably missing from this career sector,” observes Payn, who teaches graphic communications at Palomar College and serves as Technology Outreach Chair for AAUW – San Diego Branch. Payn pointed out that “only one in ten computer science grads and 13% of software engineers are women.”
The panelists will identify high tech trends in San Diego as well as local science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational opportunities. Payn said that panelists will demonstrate “must have” social media networking skills for career women and then offer useful suggestions during a complimentary résumé review. The panel of high-performing women includes June Chocheles (Chocheles Consulting Group); Leslie Fishlock (Geek Girl); Teri Louden (Louden Network); Tina K. Ngo (San Diego Workforce Partnership); Lisa Vaughn-Olstad (AQUENT); Jen Weissman (Social Media, Project X Media); and STEM Advisors Mireya Gutierrez-Aguero (Palomar College) and Celia Martinez (CSU San Marcos).
Each attendee will receive a free Executive Summary: Why So Few? Women in STEM. Refreshments will be served. The event is open to the public for a suggested donation of $10, and $5 for members and students. AAUW – San Diego Branch (a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corp.) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. For more information about the High Tech = High Pay Careers for Women event, please contact Eunis Christensen, 619/299-0778, network@aauwsandiego.org.
CONTACTS:
Melinda Finn, Public Affairs Office, 760-744-1150, ext. 2365, mfinn@palomar.edu
Laura Gropen, Director, Public Affairs Office, 760-744-1150, ext. 2152, lgropen@palomar.edu
Lillian Payn, Graphic Communications, 760-744-1150, ext. 3078, lpayn@palomar.edu