March 2023 Newsletter

Event Highlights:

Intentional Leadership: Armchair Chat with Rose M Patten

Join us for an armchair chat with Rose M. Patten, Special Advisor to the CEO of BMO Financial Group and Chancellor of the University of Toronto. Rose Patten will reveal why Leadership needs to be intentional and the top skills required in a discussion of her new book, Intentional Leadership: The Big 8 Capabilities Setting Leaders Apart.

Moderator: Vivek Goel, C.M., President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Waterloo

Date: Wednesday, March 1st from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location: Engineering 7 Event Space, 2nd Floor, 200 University Ave. West, Waterloo, ON

Sign up link: Ticketfi

Barriers to Equity: Women, Political Representation & Family

The University of Waterloo is a sponsor of International Women’s Day activities hosted by Women in Communications & Technology, Waterloo Region. Join Barriers to Equity: Women, Political Representation & Family for an intimate discussion with Dr. Laura Mae Lindo, moderated by Jasmin Habib, chair of Political Science.  

The event will take place on Wednesday, March 1st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Federation Hall. Register for the event – Eventbrite.  

WiCS Responding to Everyday Bias Workshop

We have all been in conversations where a friend, colleague or boss makes an off-handed or stereotypical comment. Such comments can be hurtful and make for a non-inclusive learning or working environment. We might let the comment slide because we want to move on and don’t want to make the speaker defensive. However, by not speaking up, we silently convey that such comments are OK with us, and we help to normalize them. This workshop offers a collection of strategies to respond effectively to biased comments, in ways that are proportional to the severity of the comment. The workshop is interactive: part of the time will be spent in small groups (i.e., breakout groups) in which participants play “a game” and practice applying strategies and responses to concrete scenarios.

The event will be held in MC 5417 from 4-5:30 PM and will be hosted by the Director of the Women in Computer Science, Jo Atlee.

Snacks (pretzels!) and refreshments will be provided

Sign up here: Eventbrite

Please only sign up if you plan on coming and please cancel your ticket if you change your mind! There is only a limited amount of space available.

WiM x WiCS International Woman’s Day – Up Your Game!  

Join WiM and WiCS with UW Chess and UW Poker to celebrate International Women’s Day!  

Did you know only about 5% of professional poker players and 15% of all licensed chess players are women? Play some poker and chess, while learning to apply these critical strategies to your life and career. All levels are welcome!

When: March 8th from 4:00-6:00 PM EST

Where: MC 5501

Sign Up: Google Form

Little WiCS Breaking into Tech Fields Panel (Ft. SWE, PM, Data Science, etc)

Unsure what field to explore for your next co-op? Join Little WiCS and industry professionals in software engineering, product management, data science, and more to learn about kickstarting your career!  

When: Thursday March 16th, 5:00pm - 6:30pm

Where: TBD (Instagram @uwaterloowics)

Sign up: Google forms

WiCS Student Industry Lunch  

Hello WiCS! It's time for our annual student/industry lunch! Connect with female mentors from various tech companies who will be rotating around the room to offer you any and all advice you may ask of them. This serves as a wonderful opportunity to network and get to know your peers as well as industry professionals!

This event will be held in the Grad House (next to the south campus hall) from 11:30-1:00 PM.

This event is free -- Lunch (buffet style) will be provided

Sign up here: Eventbrite

Please only sign up if you plan on coming and please cancel your ticket if you change your mind! There is only a limited amount of space available.

Entrepreneurship and Impact Series with Math Innovation  

The Math Innovation Office is hosting its inaugural Entrepreneurship and Impact Series, with the next event happening on March 21st. Please join us at 4:30 pm in DC 1302 for an “Ask Me Anything” event featuring Natalie Gordon, UWaterloo alumnus, founder and CEO of Babylist – a leading vertical marketplace and commerce destination for baby registries. Afterwards, there will be a social reception with complimentary refreshments, which will be a great networking opportunity.  

Sign-up link: Ticketfi

Little WiCS Side Projects Panel

Interested in boosting your career with a side project? Looking to learn more about the process and what others create? Come out to the virtual WiCS Side Projects Panel on Thursday, March 23rd at 7:00 pm! This is a fully online event where upper-year WiCS students will be presenting their previous projects, sharing their processes, and answering your questions.  

Sign up using the following link: Google Form 

WiCS x Bloomberg Bubble Tea Networking Event  

The Bloomberg engineers are in town and are hosting a bubble tea networking event! Come on out and talk with their engineers and network with your peers while enjoying some delicious bubble tea. Sign up in advance to express your bubble tea preferences.  

When: March 24th from 3:00-4:30 PM EST

Where: DC 1301 (The Fishbowl)

Sign-up link: Google Form

Call for Volunteers! Technovation Regional Pitch Event  

Technovation Girls Waterloo will be hosting a live, in-person Regional Pitch Event and we are looking for 10 volunteers to help us run this large event! Teams will pitch their projects to a team of live judges, and receive feedback, and awards. We also have plans for keynote speakers. This is a fun and rewarding event where you will witness the next generation of girls+ being inspired to pursue careers in STEM! Lunch included!

When: Saturday, May 6th, exact time TBA

Where: Multiple locations in DC

Sign-up: email technovation@uwaterloo.ca if you are interested

2023 NSSE Survey    

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) is to be sent to first and graduating-year students at the University from Mar 1 – Apr 10, 2023. The survey aims to understand the degree to which students are engaged in their studies and other extracurricular activities. Students are asked to evaluate the quality of their programs, university services and resources as well as their engagement level and activities. The results are used to support various improvement activities and are included in the Strategic Plan.

For more information about the survey, you can visit  uwaterloo.ca/iap/nsse2023