The Changing Face of Computing

1
The Changing Face of Computing
All kinds of people become computer scientists
Computer scientists become all sorts of people
2
ACM-W

• Promoting activities that result in more equal
  representation of women in computer science, like
• Mentoring
• Role modeling
• Researching
• Documenting women's accomplishments in CS
• Sharing information

Profiles in Computing Bettina Bair is a senior
lecturer in CSE. She is also the director of
TWICE (The Women in Computer Engineering), a
program which gives undergraduates opportunities
in research, industry or community service.
3
What are you into?
Computers are into that, too.

• Aerospace
• Architecture
• Biomedical Engineering
• Geodetic Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Food Agriculture
• Industrial
• Material Science
• Mechanical

Profiles in Computing Helen Greiner founded
iRobot, when she was 23. iRobot has grown into
the most successful, independent robotics company
in the world, delivering robots into the
industrial, consumer, academic, and military
markets.
4
Computer Scientists are into everything

• Artificial Intelligence
• natural language processing
• Animation
• Shrek, Star Wars
• Bioinformatics
• fingerprints, retinal scans

Profiles in Computing Meg Whitman became the CEO
of eBay in 1998 and was one of the top five
Forbes Most Powerful Women of the World in 2004.
She has donated approximately 60 million to
Princeton University.
5
Computer Scientists are into everything

• Computer Hardware Design
• faster, cheaper CPUs
• Cross Discipline Projects
• music technology, internet sociology
• Data Management
• MP3s, GIFs, JPGs
• Data Mining
• faster searches and better results
• Mobile technologies
• TabletPCs, PocketPCs and other wireless devices

Profiles in Computing Rear Admiral Grace Hopper
was the first programmer for the Mark I
Calculator and the developer of the first
compiler for a computer programming language.
6
Computer Scientists are into everything

• Networks
• LANs, WANS, WLANs, Internet
• Operating System Design
• Mac OS, Windows, Unix, Linux?
• Pattern recognition
• identifying terrorists, speech recognition, voice
  dialing
• Robotics
• automating tedious and dangerous jobs
• Security, privacy
• preventing identity theft, protecting children
  from online predators

Profiles in Computing Binaebi Akah is a student
who feels computer science is a field that will
allow her to do almost anything when she
graduates. Her interest is in computer graphics,
one of the faster growing fields
7
Computer Scientists are into everything

• Simulations
• pilot training and space missions
• Software Applications
• education, medicine, architecture, farming,
  geography, law, finance business
• Software Engineering
• ensuring that systems are useful and error-free
• Telecommunications
• wireless, DSL, satellite communications

Profiles in Computing Anita Borg was a
pioneering computer scientist who worked to break
the "silicon ceiling" that often keeps women and
minorities from rising to the top of the
high-tech industry
8
Computing careers are flexible.
I want to travel
Good. IT skills are in demand everywhere
Can I have a family?
70 of IT workers have flextime
Neighborhood tech centers need support
Can I help my community?
New technology creates new business
Can I be my own boss?
Profiles in Computing Janis Mitchell overcame
dyslexia and poverty to become a highly
recognized entrepreneur and businesswoman.
9
There are lots of jobs in computing

• Seventy percent of new jobs in science and
  engineering fields will be in "information
  technology"
• even AFTER considering trends in outsourcing

John Sargent, US Department of Commerce, 2004
Profiles in Computing Maria Palazzi is a
computer animator who has been nominated for
awards from international film festivals. She
likes how the Web can create small communities of
people sharing their knowledge.
10
Programming is

• Problem solving
• Creative
• Analytical
• Always changing

int j int I
Programming is not computer science but its a
way that computer science gets done.
Profiles in Computing Dr Tracy Camp is an
associate professor who has over 900 citations to
date. Simulation code developed by her research
group has been shared with more than 270 research
groups in 41 countries.
11
Computer scientists solve puzzles
Put a zero on all the left branches of the tree.
Put a one on all the right branches of the tree
Read down the branches of the tree to find a
binary code for each character. The first group
has been done for you.
12
Computer scientists break codes
Convert each set of 4 characters below into four
sets of binary code. The first row is done for
you.
Color in all the squares with ones (1) to find a
secret message! Make up your own coded message to
send to a friend!
E488, 8A88, 8E88, EAEE
13
What do you think?

• How have computers changed the world?
• How will computers change life in your lifetime?
• In your kids lifetime?
• What jobs use or require computers?
• Do you know any computer scientists?
• What kinds of things do people say about computer
  scientists?
• What do you think is true? False?

14
To Do List

• Talk to people about careers in computing
• Family
• Friends
• Teachers
• Pick a major
• Computer science - theory, research, or invention
• Computer engineering analysis of users needs
  and design of computer applications
• Information systems coordination and direction
  computer-related activities of firms
• Information technology - programming, database,
  data communications and project management.
• Pick a college
• Look at U.S. News World Report
• (http//www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings
  /rankindex_brief.php)

15
Association for Computing Machinery Committee on
Women in Computing
? Celebrating ? ? Informing ? ? Supporting
? Women in Computing
CHANGING THE FACE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY