PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Earlier this month one female engineer decided to write a short essay about her experience working as a female engineer in the tech industry, which has since sparked a new online trend.
Using the hashtag #ILookLikeAnEngineer, Iris Wenger posted an image of herself with a piece of paper that read ‘I help build enterprise software’.
In her essay, Wenger pointed out some of the sexism that occurs in the tech industry, she said: “I’ve had men throw dollar bills at me in a professional office.”
Plus, Wenger is also currently featured in an ad for her job at service developer OneLogin, which has unfortunately received some negative criticism with some commenters saying she is ‘too sexy’.
Now, other female engineers, including computer engineers, have taken to Twitter and Facebook using the same hashtag to share their expertise with the World Wide Web.
AMD’s MD Dr. Lisa Su has also taken to Facebook to share her thoughts, where she said: “I studied engineering because I love to tackle the hardest challenges. I chose semiconductors because they have the potential to truly change the world. ?#ilooklikeanengineer ?#ieeewie.”
Furthermore, computing vendor HP also posted an image of its firmware and mechanical engineers on Twitter.
Firmware engineers Hao-Chu, Heather & Elissa – Mechanical engineers Emily & Roya for #SproutbyHP #ILookLikeAnEngineer pic.twitter.com/xHitnz0ncG
— HP (@HP) August 4, 2015
In other news, Intel has revealed it will pay double referral bonuses to employees who suggest both female and minority job candidates.
The firm is offering incentives of up to $4,000 (£2,561) to its staff members who suggest recruits that will help Intel reach its diversity goals, reports The Wall Street Journal.
In a statement Intel said: “Intel is committed to increase the diversity of our workforce.
“We are currently offering our employees an additional incentive to help us attract diverse qualified candidates in a competitive environment for talent.”
Intel has also previously revealed it will pump $125 million (£80 million) into its Capital Diversity Fund, with the aim of increasing diversity across the firm.
In addition, Microsoft and Netflix have boosted the level of paid parental leave offered to mothers and fathers, in a bid to promote more diversity.
Microsoft is promising to increase the amount of paid parental leave from eight weeks to 12 weeks on November 1st, while Netflix is offering employees unlimited parental leave during the first year after birth or an adoption.
This news comes after tech giant Apple called for more diversity within the company’s workforce.
PCR is hosing its own Women of the Year event on October 16th, celebrating leading women in the tech industry. You can purchase tickets here or nominate here.
Image source: Twitter @isisAnchalee
