WOMEN IN STEM
Amy Bunszel , VP of Digital Engineering Products at Autodesk , spoke this year at Catalyst Conference 2016 – an annual celebration of women in technology – and is as passionate as Colledge about encouraging women to become a part of the STEM sector .
“ We know that we need more women at the table ,” she says , “ on teams and in the boardroom , and we must work at both retaining women already in STEM fields and getting more young women interested in STEM . This is why celebrating days like Ada Lovelace Day and promoting the accomplishments of women in STEAM is crucial . My advice for women in STEM is to ask for stretch assignments that align well with their technical and leadership skills , and to look around their organizations for women they can bring along with them .”
Bunszel believes that the most essential resource for women hoping to enter the world of STEM
is the women who are already part of that world , and that these people have a responsibility to aid in the cause towards changing minds and influencing the industry .
“ And for those of us who have already made a successful career in STEM , it is important to offer coaching , mentoring , sponsorship , and advice ,” she says . “ In return for helping others you ’ ll also build up a strong network of support and your own sounding board . I leverage my connections to benefit others and enjoy connecting people with opportunities . For me , being a role model to women in STEM extends beyond my formal responsibility at Autodesk to participating on panels across the Bay Area , having coffee meetings to offer advice and encouragement and speaking at career fairs and sponsoring programs like Girls Who Code . Keeping the spotlight on the topic is crucial .”
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