“When I studied computer science at Dartmouth, there were times when I was one of the only women in the classroom,” writes Tech Crunch contributor Melissa Kaufman. "This didn’t affect my studies or my ambition, but it was frustrating because I knew other women who were capable of being in those classes, but they felt like outsiders.”
Kaufman is executive director of The Garage at Northwestern University, described as a hub for student entrepreneurship and innovation, and that hosts more than 60 student-established startups. She also had worked for IBM and Google.
Kaufman points out three areas that can have a huge influence on women interested in careers in tech. Real, one-on-one mentors rather than “social media influencers and sugar-bomb self-help authors” can give students “the extra nudge they need to go from idea to execution."
Kaufman also encourages more tangible opportunities instead of telling women that “you can do it!” Bringing together various women groups on campus to work toward common goals also can be empowering. “If we want to get serious about reversing the brogramming trend, we have to go beyond quotas or playing the blame game with history, companies and ‘the system,’” Kaufman writes. “Instead, we must connect with young women early on, through mentorship, tangible opportunities and communities in which they can thrive."