WiCS June Newsletter 2022

Hello WiCS students,  

Happy June! Time Flies! Hope you all had a wonderful May. As summer approaches and the weather brightens up, we hope you are ready for a fantastic month with WiCS! We have several events and resources for you to check out!  

Event Highlights: 

WiCS Side Project Panel  

Do you constantly hear people talking about side projects? Are you wondering how a side project can help you in your career or not sure where to start? Be sure to join our 4 AMAZING panellists and get tips for making the most out of side projects! 

Event Date: Wednesday, June 8th, 6:30 – 8:30 PM EST  

Event Location: Online  

Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftukHrj1kghiuZZz2blibHRwu1vtin5bJlRb_ZtvJTpnl-oA/viewform  

WiCS Brunch w/ Upper Years

Do you have any burning questions you want to ask upper-year students? Are you interested in hearing about other co-op experiences and school tips? Or are you an upper-year student who could provide some mentorship to lower-year students? Do you want the chance to meet some new friends? Join us for the chance to exchange stories, network, and learn from others who were in your position just a few years ago. We look forward to seeing you soon!  

Event Date: Saturday, June 25th, 11 am! 

Event Location: William’s (170 University Ave. Waterloo) 

Register Here:  

https://forms.gle/hLxd5mbp7518EDmy9  
 

WiCS Speed Networking Event  

Get the chance to ask professionals about their career decisions, career paths, and experiences as technical women working in the industry! This is a rare opportunity to talk with women at distinct levels of their studies and careers: undergraduate, graduate, and out in the workforce. Learn about (and from) each other’s experiences and use this opportunity to build your network! 

Event Date: Thursday, July 14th, 4:00 – 5:30 PM EST   

Event Location: Online VIA Hopin 

Register Here:  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wics-speed-networking-event-tickets-354567499937  

Outreach: FLIGHT Call for Volunteers

This summer Women in Computer Science at the University of Waterloo and Young Upcoming Talented and Empowered Students of the Caribbean (YUTES) are running the second iteration of the FLIGHT Summer Camp (Future Leaders Innovating to Go Higher in Technology).  

FLIGHT is a virtual Summer Camp that is an introduction to tech entrepreneurship for girls aged 14-18 who self-identify as Black and other underrepresented minorities. In this 2-week program, students will work in small teams to create a technology-backed business idea around a problem that they identify within the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

WiCS is looking for volunteers to help as FLIGHT Attendants and Engineers (aka Program Volunteers)! In these roles we are looking for individuals who can fulfill the following: 

You will engage participants by answering their questions, facilitating and monitoring the chat, and technical troubleshooting. You will also help with the day-to-day running of the virtual camp, with more details to follow.

What you will gain: knowledge of the entrepreneurial process, support the Black community (locally and internationally), network with other volunteers from various backgrounds, and learn how to facilitate virtual events. 

Dates: August 2nd – 13th 2022 

Time commitment: 45 minutes - 1.5 hours per session 

Express your interest to volunteer here: https://forms.gle/ebf8sCC2sVnXcpDN8  

More Information to come!!

Hackathon: TechNova Call for Volunteers & TechNova Applications

We are excited to announce that we’re hosting the second iteration of TechNova, the University of Waterloo’s first global Women+ in Tech Hackathon! We envision a more gender-equitable future in Technology by creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering community for women and other gender minorities to start, grow, and build their careers in technology. The hackathon will feature both online and optional in-person events! 

This event has three components:  

  1. Prepare with Us: Bootcamp to prepare students for education and careers in technology 

  1. Hack with Us: 36-hour hybrid hackathon and mentorship to bring the hackers’ ideas to life 

  1. Connect with Us: Hybrid events to network with fellow students, organizers and industry professionals 
     

Hackathon Dates: 

PREPARE WITH US (August 23 - 26) 

HACK WITH US (August 26 - 28) 

CONNECT WITH US (August 23- 28) 
 

Registration link and/or links where students can gain more information:  

https://itstechnova.carrd.co/  

https://www.instagram.com/itstechnova/  

Hacker applications open on June 13! 

WiCS Call for Orientation Volunteers

WiCS Orientation is a welcome event for first-year students to learn how to improve their university experience, learn how to help themselves advance in their careers, and to cultivate a network of friends and allies — people to study with and play with; who can provide advice in good times and in bad; who can refer them to opportunities or to their connections.  

As a woman in tech, it is especially important to have a network of technical girlfriends — whose experiences are like one’s own, who have similar interests and goals, and with whom one can vent frustrations and celebrate successes. 

We are seeking volunteers to give lightning talks on various topics to be presented at the Orientation event. Each student will get 5-10 minutes for their talk on their topic. What do YOU wish you knew when starting your first year? 

lightning talks can be on various topics such as:  

- Technical (best apps, student portal, neat 4th courses to look forward to, how co-op works, places to study),  

- Health (balancing, networking, or mental health),  

- WICS undergrad committee (what it is, what they do) 

- Academic advice    

Express your interest in volunteering here: https://forms.gle/efoc9gREmmzHNe1x7  

More information (dates, time commitments etc.) to come!! 

WiCS Social Media Channels  

Follow our Instagram and Facebook Page to stay up to date on all upcoming events! And follow our Eventbrite to stay connected!   

Follow the WiCS Instagram Account  

Follow the WiCS Eventbrite Account

Follow the WiCS LinkedIn Account   

Join the WiCS Slack Workspace  

Visit the WiCS web site  

Join the WiCS Facebook group  

Join our Discord Server  

Invite a Friend to Join the Mailing List  

Like the WiCS Facebook Page  

Apply for the Data Science for All / Women Program