From time to time, we get asked about Girls in Tech Boise. Some want to know why its just for females (designed as a mentoring and support group to encourage more women in the fields of technology, science, math and engineering). Others want to know why its ‘girls’ in tech and not ‘women’ in tech (because its fun). Specifically, they want to know just how ‘techie’ they have to be in order to attend meetings or join the group (the group is open to all levels of technical prowess).
Have you been singled out as geek? A nerd? Dork? Heaven forbid, a dweeb? Not sure if you should be pleased or upset? Have you been categorized correctly? Not sure that the title fits your technical ability?
Have no fear, we have the answer for you!
The other day, we came across a venn diagram (fancy word for picture) that we think will help everyone become more comfortable with their level of techie prowess or better yet, be able to correctly categorize their ability - both girls and boys alike.
We found it on the Great White Snark’s blog (posted back in March of this year) and discovered that it was actually posted in 2009 by Matthew Mason on his blog Sed Contra.
Take a look…see yourself?
Its not just Girls in Tech Boise that is issuing a call to action.
Last week at Ignite Boise, @hipmamacita (aka Megan Egbert) shared her love of nerds. Tired of hearing all the geek love, Megan challenged each of us to embrace our inner nerds or at least hug the nerds we know. If you missed the presentation, don’t worry, they’ll be posted soon. (If it happens at Ignite Boise, you KNOW its important.)
Back to the picture – where do you fall? Do you have more obsessive traits about technology? Can you spend a weekend offline? Are you compelled to share everything with the universe on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc? If so, you might be a geek. On the other hand, if you possess knowledge of any and all things technical, you are in nerd territory.
Now, here is what Girls in Tech Boise really is:
We want all of you and your varying degrees of techieness (it is too a word) to join us and help us build the community.
Our next meeting will be May 5th at the WaterCooler at 12:00 noon. Joining us will be Beth Geagan of Sustainable Community Connections of Idaho. Come and learn about Think Boise First and what you can do to help connect the local food movement and the tech world – right here in the Boise Valley. Stay tuned for more details.