New WTC Videos Aim to Guide Female Students as They Navigate Their Careers

Pictured from left: Edie Weiner, president and CEO of The Future Hunters; Shamla Naidoo, managing partner at IBM; and Deborah Verderame (B. Arch. ’83), founding principal of Verderame | Cale Architecture, are featured in a new video series developed by the Women’s Technology Council that offers insightful leadership, guidance, and hands-on advice to New York Tech students.

March 8, 2021, marks the 110th anniversary of International Women’s Day, celebrated around the world in recognition of how far women have come in society, in politics, and in economics—in addition to raising awareness of continued gender inequality.

In honor of this important day, New York Tech debuts the first three videos in an exciting new series developed by the Women’s Technology Council (WTC) to help guide New York Tech students as they navigate their career path. The eight videos that comprise the series offer unique and insightful leadership, guidance, and practical, hands-on advice from prominent female professionals and members of the WTC’s board.

“We’ve selected this month, Women’s History Month, and this day to launch these inspiring conversations between New York Tech students and WTC board members on topics including navigating the workplace, mentorship, and how to find the path that’s right for you as well as all the valuable lessons each of these successful professionals learned along the way,” says Nada Anid, Ph.D., co-founder of the WTC and vice president for strategic communications and external affairs. “The insights, tips, and advice from our board members, who’ve broken barriers to entry in fields once exclusively the domain of men, are invaluable to young women seeking to follow similar paths.”

Each week in March, new videos will be released through New York Tech’s social media channels and posted on the Women’s Technology Council webpage, starting today with:

• A Conversation with Edie Weiner, president and CEO of The Future Hunters, and Julia Donahoe, New York Tech M.B.A. student, on “Finding Your Path and Innovating in Your Career.”
• Shamla Naidoo, managing partner at IBM, and New York Tech computer science student Kassandra Acuna discuss “Careers in Cybersecurity,” as well as the importance of failure and the key to conveying your passion in a job interview.
• NYIT School of Architecture alumna and Founding Principal of Verderame | Cale Architecture, Deborah Verderame (B. Arch. ’83) speaks with architecture student Elise Park on “Finding the Right Workplace Environment for You.”

Recent reports and data from UN Women reveal that the coronavirus pandemic could wipe out 25 years of increasing gender equality. Because of the pandemic, women are responsible for more domestic chores and family care, which can negatively impact their job and education opportunities. The WTC’s ongoing programming and efforts, such as this video series and a new mentoring program, seek to help New York Tech students counter the ongoing gender equality gap.