Grace Hopper Celebration Cheatsheet: Speaker + Attendee Experience
Gearing up for the conference season, I’m excited to share my last year’s experience as one of the only student speakers and also an attendee.
As a woman in STEM, GHC had always been on my radar, and finally getting the chance to not only attend, but speak(!!) was a dream come true. GHC is the world’s largest gathering of women and non-binary technologists(and apparently men as of 2023) from diverse backgrounds, industries, and skill levels come together to celebrate and advance diversity in tech.
There are high chances if you are reading this you already have plans to attend the conference. But if not, there are multiple ways to secure scholarships/sponsorships as a student. Most common ones are the Google scholarship, GHC scholarship, and getting sponsored by your school (this was my case).
GHC houses something for everyone, you might be a student, new-grad, returning to work, or an experienced professional. You could run out of time, but you’ll never be wondering how to pass time. The highlights of the conference for me were:
The workshops and networking sessions
The variety of workshops at GHC was astounding. From sessions on artificial intelligence and machine learning to panels on diversity and inclusion. I spoke on the fundamentals of tech project management with Github , followed by a handson workshop. My session had over 100 attendees and I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it.
I met women from across the globe who were working on cutting-edge technologies, and the sense of camaraderie was heartwarming. Everyone was eager to share their experiences, and I walked away with new connections that I know will be valuable in the future. I met one of NYU’s most renowned professors, prof. Meredith Broussard and remain grateful for her guidance in data journalism.
Most companies and organizations host invite-only after parties which is an amazing source to network with their employees if you are targeting to apply soon.
Career Fair: Opportunities Everywhere
This area was divided into academia and industry.
Academia focuses towards higher education programs. You can find all top-tier institutions and even speak to their students and admin about life at university. Since I was representing my school, I got the opportunity to meet people looking forward to enroll in a graduate program at NYU and share about the resources and support we have, especially as an international student.
The industry arena was a hot mess! The career fair was enormous, with tech giants looking to recruit top talent and students striving to bag offers. Most openings were for internships and SDE roles. Data and Product were scarce and limited to mid-senior level positions. Being an international student, the struggle was real to identify the exact companies and strategize a plan to get noticed. Showing up early definitely helped.
Having resumes printed is preferred for some companies but most of them just ask you to upload it on their portal online.
I also had the chance to engage in on-site interviews and resume reviews with seasoned professionals, receiving valuable feedback that I’ll carry forward in my job search. The experience boosted my confidence and gave me the tools I need to refine my personal brand.
Inspiration for the Road Ahead
Leaving GHC, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for being part of such a powerful community. I walked away with a fresh perspective on career growth, and a support network of women who are determined to break barriers in tech. Here are some of the takeaways that stuck with me:
- Own your space: Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned professional, it’s important to recognize your value and embrace your unique perspective in the tech world.
- Find your community: Having a support system of like-minded individuals is crucial. They will lift you up when challenges arise and celebrate your successes along the way.
- Never stop learning: The tech industry is constantly evolving, and staying curious and open to learning new skills is key to staying relevant and competitive.
- Advocate for diversity and inclusion: GHC reinforced the importance of being an advocate for change, both within my organization and the industry at large. Representation matters, and we need to continue pushing for a more diverse and inclusive tech world.
Having founded the first women-centric technical community(now SFIT IEEE WIE) during undergrad, I am an active member of WXCode Mumbai (prev WomenWhoCode Mumbai), Girls Who Code, Rewriting the Code, and NYU Women in Computing. I can totally vouch for the unparalleled support my mentors from WXCode have given me and would suggest everyone to be a part of one or more such organizations.
Conclusion: A Celebration of Progress
The Grace Hopper Celebration was more than just a conference — it was a celebration of progress, innovation, and the limitless potential of women in technology. It was a reminder that while we’ve come a long way, there is still so much work to be done to create a truly inclusive industry.
With all the work, don’t forget to have fun with your friends this year in brat girl style!
