Mentoring for software engineering students
"During the 2006 academic year we started a mentoring group especially for female students who are studying towards a Bachelor of Software Engineering," says Lynette Johns-Boast, Associate Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science.
"The purpose of this group is to provide a peer support network, especially for early year students to help them to develop their networking skills, allow later year students to mentor early year students, and to provide a friendly environment where we can get together and talk about the issues that we face working and studying in a male-dominated field," says Lynette.
So far the group has met twice over coffee and has proved popular with third and fourth year students. The aim now is to encourage the more hesitant first and second year students to come along. Lynette also has plans to organize a web-based communication forum so that everyone can chat outside the get-togethers.
Lynette has over 20 years industry experience and joined the ANU as an academic in 2003.
"I still maintain close links with industry and I am keen to encourage women into the industry because we have a lot to add simply because of our gender. Unfortunately, software engineering still has a rather geeky image and has not managed to get across the message that we need people with strong people skills - something that women tend to demonstrate more than men," she says."The new message is 'geek is chic'. IT pays very well, there are many career prospects around the world, and we work in exciting team environments," says Lynette.
"I would love to hear from any female students who would like to join the mentoring group. My office is on the 3rd Floor of the Computer Science Building (N327) and I can be contacted by email lynette.johns-boast@anu.edu.au. New ideas and new members are always welcome."
