Anita Jones, University Of Virginia

Friday, October 5, 2012

The keynote speech began at 8:30 on Friday morning, Dr. Anita Jones  is a University Professor Ermerita at the University of Virginia and a Professor of Computer Science in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. According to her biography at The Grace Hopper Conference website, She was once "sworn in as the Director of Defense Research and Engineering for the U.S. Department of Defense in June 1993. In that position she was responsible for the management of the DoD science and technology program." I find it amazing that as a woman "She has received the Computing Research Association’s Service Award, the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the Department of Defense Award for Distinguished Public Service, and the IEEE Founders Award."(The Grace Hopper Conference website). She is a source of inspiration for someone like myself who is ready to enter the industry. She is a great example that women are able to do and accomplish much in this industry despite the lackluster odds against us. 

Dr. Jones' topic for her speech was "Are we there yet?" She spoke about how we are going in the right direction. She said that we should determine the Wes and the Theres by stepping up and taking action. The only way we can get more women in CS is to take more action and ensuring they get there. She said in the present there are around 2 million jobs in Computer Science and IT, but in the near future that number will double. Therefore this is a great industry to grow in. She stated that revolutions can begin just through use of technology. She said that because technology is changing and in this technology revolution that you have many choices to make. This is a very good thing in my opinion being that this industry does change it allows you to learn new things and possibly move to another software or programming language. She said that if there is something that interest you to learn and own it because in the future other languages or software may just build upon what you have already know. Her speech was very inspiring and will be remembered for some time. Even as I begin to receive phone calls for Developer and Software Engineering positions I will remember to engross myself with something I can continue to evolve with through this technology based revolution.