This talk was given at TEDxCollegeofWilliamAndMary, April 6 2014. The theme of the TEDx was "Forward" and the forces shaping our future. I spoke about women in tech and that they're a missing force. Quick summary: 1985 was a significant year for women studying computer science. 37% of the computer science degrees in the US that year were awarded to women. In 2012, that number had dropped to 18%. And the latest numbers from the College Board show that’s consistent with the number of young women who take the AP Computer Science exam. A mere 18%. In this talk, I shared why women need to be a force shaping the future of technology, the impact that gender diversity has on innovation and leadership, and one idea to help reverse the decline of women in tech.

1. Women in Tech:
The Missing Force
Karen Catlin
Developing powerful women leaders in the tech industry
www.karencatlin.com
@kecatlin
April 6 2014, TEDxCollegeofWilliam&Mary
© 2014 by Karen Catlin. All rights reserved.

2. Back in 1985…

3. CS Degrees Awarded in the US
14,431
7594
24,690 35,478
1985 2011
Men Women
Source: US Dept of Education, nces.ed.gov
37%
17%

4. The Need
Expected US
Grads
Unfilled
By 2022, the US will need
1.2M
computer scientists
Source: NCWIT By The Numbers

5. Why More Women?
Image courtesy of Stoonn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

6. Cautionary Tales
Photo by Janipewter, CC BY-SA 3.0
Image courtesy of Dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

7. Impact on Patents
Source: NCWIT, ncwit.org/pdf/PatentExecSumm.pdf
Graph by DarwinPeacock, CC BY 3.0

8. Why More Women?
Balance
Inclusive Design
Innovation

10. Groups for Girls & Women in Tech

11. Creating a More Inclusive Culture
10%  48% 7%  42%
May 2014: over 50% masters & PhDs

12. What I’m Seeing

13. Why I’m Optimistic
Image courtesy of Theresa Richards, Girls of Steel

14. Why I’m Optimistic
Image courtesy of C. Devinney

15. Stay in touch!
Karen Catlin
karencatlin.com
femgineer.com
Twitter: @kecatlin
© 2014 by Karen Catlin. All rights reserved.