Grace Hopper Conference: My Experience and Why You Should Attend This Amazing Conference.

June 9, 2018/Comments Off

Ever imagined being in a place surrounded by 18,000 women. Yes, you read it correctly, 18,000 women passionate about technology and empowerment at one place. Last year I attended the Grace Hopper Conference (GHC) the largest women in technology conference in the world. This blog talks about my experience at GHC and why you should attend GHC 2018.

What is Grace Hopper Conference?

GHC is the largest gathering of women technologists in the world. It is designed to bring the career interests of women in computing to the forefront and to promote STEM education among women. It is named after the computer scientist Grace Hopper and is organized by Anita Borg Institute for women and technology. The conference is divided up into technical sessions, career sessions, and a career fair. To know more about the conference happening this year in Houston Texas, visit https://ghc.anitab.org/

Why I attended GHC 2017?

I am a dual major MBA/MIS student at the University of Arizona. I belong to India and am passionate about technology, AI, and girl education in my country. When I came to the states in 2016 and networked with few women leaders through LinkedIn many of them mentioned GHC. I wanted to meet women with a similar mindset like mine, trying to make a difference. I researched about it and bought myself a ticket to GHC 2017 in Orlando, Florida. I also got selected as a student volunteer for Anita Borg Institute and helped in taking notes and blogging during the conference. Well, it was one of the best decisions of my life as I got my first round of interview at Microsoft in GHC.

What Happened in GHC 2017?

There is something very tantalizing about being under the same roof as thousands of other intelligent women technologists. At GHC it doesn’t matter what level you are at, be it student, early-mid-late career, industry or academia, entrepreneur, CEO, researcher, recruiter, or a simple observer you will learn a lot in those 3 days!

The keynote speakers last year varied from Melinda Gates who talked about her experience at Microsoft and why we need more girls in the STEM to Debbie Sterling the founder of Goldieblox who challenged the gender stereotypes with the world’s first girl engineer character. There were many more each with a compelling and encouraging story. Last year’s keynote sessions can be watched here- https://ghc.anitab.org/ghc-17-livestream/

The career fair was filled with companies like Microsoft, Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Salesforce etc. Each had an amazing booth. Microsoft had their Hollow lens at showcase while LinkedIn was clicking a professional photograph for you. Google distributed the best swag and Disney had one of the best booths I have ever seen.

GHC gives you an amazing opportunity to meet recruiters and company officials and talk about their experiences and if they like you they invite you to the after parties where you can network more.

Why you should attend GHC 2018 or any GHC?

1. Learn more about what you love to do.

If you are passionate about technology, computing, AI, Machine learning, you name it and you will meet women leaders in that area of focus in GHC. There are information sessions on hundreds of topics, the more you learn the more you grow.

2. Keynote speakers.

Trust me each of the speakers whether you know them or not leave you in Awe. I was lucky to have Melinda Gates who shared her personal experiences and how Bill Gates and she started the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was one of the best talks I have attended in my life. Inspiring, entertaining, and nerve-wracking all at once.

3. Networking.

You never know whom you will meet in Elevators, on the bus, or in a session. I got 2 interviews at GHC in elevators and 1 while sitting next to a recruiter in a session. Can you believe it? So, bring your business cards and prepare to get some connections and Acquaintances for life.

4. The Career Fair.

Whether you are looking for a job right now or not there are over 100 companies at Grace Hopper dying for you to take notice of them. They are recruiting like crazy. If you’re a college student, you will probably meet one of your future employers here.

5. The After Parties.

There is no party like the GHC after parties, Google, Facebook, Twitter, eBay, all have amazing parties with free food, swag, drinks, desserts, glow sticks, photo booth etc. These parties are yet another place to network and meet recruiters.

The GHC Experience

This year the GHC is happening at Houston, Texas September 26-28. In India, it is happening in Bangalore, Karnataka from Nov 14-16.

GHC 2018 is estimated to grow to 20,000 attendees this year. Registration will open on July 11th, 2018, 9 am PT. Please do yourself a favor and gift yourself a ticket to this conference It might change your life as it changed mine.

Hopefully see you in GHC 2018, Houston, Texas.