9781422273074

WOMEN IN STEM CAREERS

Women in Anthropology

Women in Chemistry

Women in Engineering

Women in Environmental Sciences

Women in Information Technology

Women in Medicine

Women in Physics

Women in Space Exploration

Women Inventors

WOMEN IN STEM CAREERS

WOMEN IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

By Andrew Morkes and Shaina Indovino

Mason Crest Philadelphia • Miami

PO Box 221876, Hollywood, FL 33022 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) • www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2022 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Series ISBN: 978-1-4222-4499-9

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4222-4503-3 E-book ISBN: 978-1-4222-7307-4 Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress Developed and Produced by National Highlights, Inc. Production: Andy Morkes Cover and Interior Design: Tim Palin Layout: Priceless Digital Media

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CONTENTS

Introduction

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WORDS TO UNDERSTAND: These words, with their easy-to-understand definitions, will increase readers’ understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills. SIDEBARS: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. TEXT-DEPENDENT QUESTIONS: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. RESEARCH PROJECTS: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Chapter 1: Careers in Information Technology 10 Ada Lovelace (Augusta Ada King): First Computer Programmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Chapter 2: Terms of the Trade 30 Anita Borg: Supporting Women in Information Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Chapter 3: Educational Training and Salaries 42 Radia Perlman: Contributor to the Creation of the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Chapter 4: Exploring Careers in Information Technology 58 Éva Tardos: Exploring Algorithms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Chapter 5: The Future of Information Technology and Careers 76 Shafi Goldwasser: Cryptographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Further Reading & Internet Resources 90 Educational Video Links 91 Index 92 Photo Credits 95 Author and Consultant Biographies 96 Key Icons to Look For

INTRODUCTION

Have you wondered how the natural world works? Are you curious how science could help sick people get better? Do you want to learn more about our planet and universe? Are you excited to use technology to learn and share ideas? Do you want to build something new? Scientists, engineers, and doctors are among the many types of people who think deeply about science and nature, who often have new ideas on how to improve life in our world. We live in a remarkable time in human history. The level of understanding and rate of progress in science and technology have never been greater. Major advances in these areas include the following:

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• Computer scientists and engineers are building mobile and internet technology to help people access and share information at incredible speeds. • Biologists and chemists are creating medicines that can target and get rid of harmful cancer cells in the body. • Engineers are guiding robots on Mars to explore the history of water on that planet. • Physicists are using math and experiments to estimate the age of the universe to be greater than 13 billion years. • Scientists and engineers are building hybrid cars that can be better for our environment. Scientists are interested in discovering and understanding key principles in nature, including biological, chemical, mathematical, and physical aspects of our world. They observe, measure, and experiment in a systematic way in order to test and improve their understanding. Engineers focus on applying scientific knowledge and math to find creative solutions for technical problems and to develop real products for people to use. There are many types of engineering, including computer, electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, and biomedical engineering. Some people have also found that studying science or engineering can help them succeed in other professions such as law, business, and medicine. Both women and men can be successful in science and engineering. This series provides information on education and careers in a variety of science fields. It also highlights women leaders who have made significant contributions across many scientific fields, including chemistry, medicine, anthropology, engineering, and physics. Historically, women have faced barriers to training and building careers in science, which makes some of these stories even more amazing. While not all barriers have been overcome, our society has made tremendous progress in educating and advancing women in science. Today, there are schools, organizations, and resources that help women to pursue careers as scientists or engineers at the highest levels of achievement and leadership.

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INTRODUCTION

The goals of this series are to help you with the following: 1. Learn about women scientists, engineers, doctors, and inventors who have made a major impact in science and our society 2. Understand different types of science and engineering and key terms in these fields 3. Learn more about the variety of educational paths one can pursue to enter these careers

4. Explore science and math in school and real life 5. Learn about the employment outlook in science and engineering specialties

You can do a lot of things to learn more about science, math, and engineering. Explore topics in books or online, take a class at school, go to science camp, or do experiments at home. More important, talk to a real scientist, doctor, or engineer! Call or email your local college to find students and professors. They would love to meet with you. Ask your doctors about their education and training. Or you can check out these helpful resources: • NOVA has very cool videos about science, including profiles on real-life women scientists and engineers: www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova. • National Geographic has excellent photos and stories to inspire people to care about the planet: www.nationalgeographic.com/science. Here are examples of online courses for students, of which many are free: 1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) OpenCourseWare for high school: https://ocw.mit.edu/high-school 2. Khan Academy tutorials and courses: www.khanacademy.org 3. Stanford University Online High School: https://onlinehighschool.stanford.edu Other skills will become important as you get older. Build strong communication skills by asking questions and sharing your ideas in class. Ask for advice or help

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WOMEN IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

when needed from your teachers, mentors, tutors, or classmates. Be curious and resilient: Learn from your successes and mistakes. The best scientists and engineers do. Learning science and math is one of the most important things that you can do in school. Knowledge and experience in these areas will teach you how to think and how the world works, and they can provide you with many adventures and paths in life. I hope you will explore science, engineering, and medicine—you could make a difference in this world. Ann Lee-Karlon, PhD Past-President, Association for Women in Science

The use of a computer-assisted virtual environment allows researchers to view data in an interactive 3–D format.

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INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: CAREERS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Words to Understand cyberattacks: deliberate electronic efforts to destroy or cause damage to computer systems and/or steal information industry: a particular area of business, such as car manufacturing or hospitality

professional association: an organization that is founded by a group of people who have the same career (massage therapists, professional hackers, engineers, nurses, scientists, etc.) or who work in the same industry specialty (information technology, health care, security, etc.) scholarships: money that is awarded to students to pay for college and other types of education; it does not have to be paid back unauthorized: not having permission

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THE WORLD OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Have you ever wondered how a computer works? If you look inside, you will see the many different pieces that make up a computer. To someone who doesn’t know what each of those bits does, a computer might seem like a magic box. The pieces that make up a computer are known as hardware . Any physical item that you can hold in your hand is a piece of hardware. Hardware is necessary for a computer to even turn on. Computers of the 1950s and 1960s were

massive, and most had the computing power

of what is now contained in a smartphone.

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DID YOU KNOW? Computers used to be very large. Some of the earliest computers could fill an entire room and weighed about 27 tons!

Computer programmers work with software, or information that is stored on the hard physical pieces inside a computer’s case. It is called software because it is not something you can touch or feel. Even though hardware is needed for a computer to turn on, software is needed for it to function. Operating systems are the most complex type of computer program. They allow the computer to work and other computer programs to run. Two examples are Microsoft Windows and macOS. A computer scientist has designed and created every single program you use on your computer. Every website you look at was planned, programmed, and maintained by someone who works in information technology (IT)—the name of the industry that produces computer hardware and software. Computers no longer just sit on our desks or kitchen tables. Some computers are very small. Most electronic systems contain computers. Examples include an oven, a television, and a car. Smartphones now have countless available programs, or apps . In fact, your mobile phone is actually a tiny computer that can fit into the palm of your hand. People can even wear computer devices (known as wearable technology ) to gather information and help them become healthier, better manage their time, or meet other life goals. Computers are no longer just stand-alone objects and are often linked through the internet to one another. Scientists have named these interconnected devices the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is a network of appliances, vehicles, and other devices that are embedded with electronics, sensors, software, and other technology that allows them to communicate with each other and share information.

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CAREERS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFILE: KIMBERLY BRYANT, FOUNDEROF BLACK GIRLS CODE When Kimberly Bryant was a freshman at Vanderbilt University majoring in electrical engineering and taking classes in computer coding, she noticed that there were few African American women like her studying STEM fields. This made her sad because she loved the world of computer science and wanted other African American women to enjoy the rewarding work, high salaries, and strong job opportunities that a career in IT provides. In 2011, she founded Black Girls Code (www.blackgirlscode.com), which aims to “increase the number of women of color in the digital space by empowering girls of color ages 7 to 17 to become innovators in STEM fields, leaders in their communities, and builders of their own futures through exposure to computer science and technology.” Black Girls Code offers community outreach programs such as workshops, “hackathons,” and after-school programs to introduce underprivileged young women to basic programming skills. Bryant has received many awards for her work. Business Insider included her on its list of “The 25 Most Influential African-Americans in Technology,” and she was named one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People.”

Kimberly Bryant discusses Black Girls Code and hackathons

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As the world becomes more reliant on technology, we need more computer experts. If you are interested in programming, fixing computers, developing computer games, protecting computers from cybercrime, or performing any one of the many other interesting careers that have to do with computers, consider pursuing a career in IT! Information technology is a growing field. Although there are still far more men in this industry than there are women, many universities and IT professional associations are trying to encourage women to pursue careers in computer science. Some of them offer scholarships to young women who want to enter this field. Once you earn a degree in this scientific discipline, the job opportunities will vary depending on the level of your education and the particular IT specialization you wish to enter. Information technology includes many different kinds of jobs, and the field is always expanding.

Many people want to work in IT because the pay is high, there are a variety of career opportunities, and

there is a shortage of qualified workers in many fields.

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WHY WORK IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY? Information technology is used today in every single scientific field. Many scientists use very high-level math to understand what they are working on, and computers help them to do this. Computers aren’t just used by scientists, though. Pretty much everyone else uses computers too, from bankers to artists. Just a few decades ago, these computers would have been impossible to make. But the world of technology is constantly changing. That’s why IT workers are in high demand. In fact, employment of computer and IT workers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all careers through 2029, according to the US Department of Labor (USDL). Job opportunities are also plentiful for IT professionals in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and many other countries. Additionally, IT professionals are paid very well. Median annual salaries for those in computer and mathematical careers in the United States are $91,530, according to the USDL. This is much higher than the median earnings ($51,960) for all careers. CAREER PATHS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY There are dozens of occupations in the IT industry. The following paragraphs provide information on some of the most popular options. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence—perceiving, reasoning, learning, problem-solving, etc.—by machinery and computer systems.

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WOMEN IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY