WiCS Student Reflections
The sense of community I felt at GHC was unlike anything I had experienced before. From listening to powerful Women speak, to talking to other female students from across the continent, I was inspired by each one of their stories. Every Women in tech has experienced feelings of doubt, insecurity, or loneliness at some point. And so, everyone I met had such a strong sense of motivation that pushed them to become who they are today. Although the backgrounds of attendees were very diverse there was so much common ground in experiences we had as Women in Tech. Having always been in male-dominated tech classes and workplaces I really appreciated the immediate sense of connection I felt from talking about these shared experiences. Read More.
- Valerie, WiCS Student
Attending GHC was truly an eye-opening experience as I got the opportunity to learn from some incredible women in the field about the struggles they faced and how they overcame them. I’m so grateful to have been at GHC with so many powerful women that were both working in the field and that were attending the conference itself! The experience as a whole was one that I will always remember - the opportunity to talk to so many cool companies, to get to know so many cool women and to build a strong community within the people that went from UW! Read More.
- Juthika Hoque, 3B Computer Science Student
Having the opportunity to attend the Grace Hopper 2023 Conference was truly an unforgettable experience. The conference was filled with inspiring women in the tech industry who motivated me to explore different subjects and to not be afraid of failure. There were many opportunities to learn about various companies and hear the experiences of current employees. Beyond the conference itself, I got to meet many talented girls from Waterloo and create meaningful friendships! There were many opportunities to bond with my peers and hear about their stories as well. Grace Hopper provided a very supportive and welcoming environment, and it was overall an incredible experience.
- Lucy Wang, 3a CS/BBA Student
Although GHC 2023 is now over, I can vividly remember stepping out of my apartment at 2 in the morning to head to the airport, uncertain and excited for what the coming days of the conference would look like. Through this experience, I’ve grown a lot more than I could have imagined and have had the opportunity to learn from my peers, from industry leaders, and from individuals set on changing the world.
GHC offers numerous talks during the day, a lively career expo, and more intimate after events in the evening. My favourite part of these sessions and events was being able to speak with people from all around the world and hearing about their journeys. Read More.
- 2B Computer Science Student
GHC was truly a connecting experience. Speaking with employees from various companies, it opened my eyes to all the different innovative technologies and ideas that were coming to light. One such example is the company Supernal, which works on flying cars! Connecting with these new ideas really opened the breadth of career opportunities I would consider for myself.
Waiting in line to speak with different companies, it was so cool to meet girls from all over the world who all have similar aspirations as me. With one of the girls I chatted with, we ended up finding a mutual friend, although we lived on opposite coasts and in different countries!
The fun didn’t stop after the conference ended each day. I explored Orlando with fellow University of Waterloo students and formed deep connections from sharing our journeys in tech. Overall, it was a rewarding and one-of-a-kind experience!
- Jessie Peng, 3A CS/BBA Student
GHC was a very empowering and enlightening yet comforting experience. The conference provided invaluable perspective on how truly diverse and dynamic the tech field is. I had the privilege of connecting with remarkably powerful women from all over the world, each with their unique passions, struggles, and career journeys.
By striking up conversations during lines for workshops and expo, I learned about career possibilities I previously didn’t know much about, such as Technology Policy Analysis and Product Design. I was also exposed to niche and unique research topics pursued by Graduate students, which inspired me to dig deeper into what I am passionate about and ignited a newfound curiosity for the field of research. Read More.
- Nada Elhossiny, 3A CS/BBA Student
In my classes and co-ops, men always outnumbered women. However, at GHC 2023, I found myself surrounded by fellow women in tech while participating in sessions and workshops, queuing to talk to recruiters in the expo hall, and attending the opening and closing ceremonies. It was surreal to witness and engage with so many individuals sharing similar experiences to mine. Attending GHC was an incredibly empowering experience in that regard. Some of the sessions were also very creative and interactive. During one session, we played a card game based on design patterns. In another, we worked through a distributed computing lab. Read More.
- Yueran Zhang, WiCS Student
GHC was a truly remarkable experience, offering me the chance to connect with influential women in the tech industry. My time was well-spent visiting career booths, where I engaged in conversations with recruiters and engineers. These interactions allowed me to dive deeper into the industry, gaining insights and knowledge that can only be gleaned through face-to-face encounters! However, the true highlight was reuniting with my mentor from my last internship during the conference. It was a heartwarming moment, underscoring the power of mentorship in one's career journey. Moreover, I was fortunate to have coffee chats with senior engineers at Amazon, which provided invaluable insights into the world of tech. The unique blend of networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing at GHC has undoubtedly left an undeniable mark on my professional path.
- Beihao Zhao, 3A Computer Science Student
Attending this year's Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) was a truly life-changing experience. From the exciting preview to the enlightening opening, engaging workshops, and the grand finale, every moment was filled with knowledge, empowerment, and a strong sense of belonging.
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In conclusion, my journey at GHC 2023 was an enriching adventure that reshaped my perspective. The conference equipped me with the confidence to step boldly into the world of technology, secure in the knowledge that I belong to a dynamic and supportive community. Inspired and empowered, I am eager to contribute not only to my personal growth but also to the collective aspirations of aspiring women in tech. GHC 2023 transcended the confines of a conference; it was a resounding celebration of progress, unity, and limitless potential. Read More.
- Smriti Sharma, 3B Computer Science (Minor in Statistics and Economics) Student
The Grace Hopper Celebration is the world’s largest gathering of women and nonbinary tech professionals, and I am thrilled to say that I was able to attend it. This was an amazing experience in which I got to meet countless other women in the tech industry. Here are some of my highlights from the conference. Read More.
- Madeline Pinto, 2A Computer Science Student