Happy anniversary to the Newsletter! November is actually the 13th edition, so it's been just over a year since WiE launched our monthly communications. Time flies!

We have an exciting webinar panel planned for this month: “What To Do After Graduation”. There are many paths and pathways, even in the time of COVID. Students have chosen further study as Master or PhD students, some have taken jobs as career starters, others are still seeking positions. Join us on Thursday, November 19th at noon as recent alumni representing each of our SEAS disciplines share their experiences of ‘after graduation’. They’ll share the challenges, some frustrations and the excitement of their decisions. You can register for the webinar at this link.

I hope you had an opportunity to enjoy the movie Picture A Scientist. While I knew many of the stories, especially of the MIT women, I was very engaged in the movie and, truth to tell – watched it twice. We may tend to think that all the issues for women in the STEM workforce have been resolved, especially as it relates to compensation. In my own early experience this was not the case, but that was years ago.

NJ.com recently reported that “more than 100 female scholars at Princeton University thought they had reached the pinnacle of their professions – a job as a full-time professor at an Ivy League university.” However, “a US Department of Labor review of salaries between 2012 and 2014 found the women were being paid less than male professors at Princeton with the same jobs, experience and credentials.” Princeton University officials “argued they were not discriminating against women.” They “said the pay differences could be explained by differences between departments, job performance and the job market for top-tier professors.” After years “of contesting the findings of the federal pay discrimination investigation, Princeton University has agreed to pay nearly $1.2 million – including $925,000 in back pay and at least $250,000 in future salary adjustments – to female professors.” For many women, the struggle for equal compensation continues.

The movie was followed in short order by an excellent webinar panel sponsored by the CVP corporation. Even if you missed the panel please check out the points of advice offered by the panels. You can find a list of the panelists and the one pager at this link. 

Finally, planning has started for the May 25 virtual Conference, Closing the Gap: a DoD Conference on Re-Entry for Women Veterans into Cybersecurity Careers. To stay informed on this important event, please submit your details in this form.

Remember to stay physically distant and socially connected, and wash your hands.

Shelly Heller
WiE Center Director