10 February, 2019

On the 1st and the 8th of February CIT Nimbus Research Centre hosted the CIT Advance  'Women in Technology' event, designed to encourage and empower young women in their technology career path.

40 of CIT’s female tech students attended this two-day seminar where they were provided with expert mentorship by experienced tech professionals. 

In addition to top class speakers, the event included a series of workshops on CV preparation, interview techniques, tips for entering the career market, and advice on how to successfully build a brand.

According to Dr Ramona Marfievici, from CIT's Nimbus Research Centre, “The response from CIT and the wider tech community in Cork has been phenomenal. Events like this are crucial in highlighting the unseen obstacles that women face daily in a male dominated tech world".    

The idea for the event stemmed from Dr Marfievici invitation to San Francisco last year to participate in the Computing Research Association's Committee on the Status of Women in Computing Research, as part of the multi-day mentorship workshop for female graduate students.

Dr Marfievici was part of an international group of observers from Europe, India and Brazil who attended the event in San Francisco. The aim of their visit was to expand the mentorship programme by initiating events in each of their home countries.

On her return to CIT, Dr Marfievici teamed up with Oonagh O'Brien from the Department of Computer Science and Catherine Murphy from the Department of Accounting and Information Systems to set up CIT Advance.   

The 'Women in Technology' event was designed to encourage female technology students in their careers.  Dr Marfievici says this type of support is vital with recent research indicating that women’s marginalised presence in computing may result in women psychologically disengaging, and ultimately dropping out. 

Dr Marfievici said, "It is now time to do everything we can to support and encourage this new generation of women to strive for career longevity and excellence”.

If you would like to collaborate with CIT get in touch. Email extendedcampus@cit.ie or call 021 4335302.