Adirondack Community College–Women In Technology
Welcome to Adirondack Community College's Women in Technology homepage. This site is designed to provide information and support for women considering a career in technology. Here you will find a brief synopsis on emerging technology fields, links to other useful sites, some ideas for how you can support and encourage other women, and information about ACC's own technology programs. Funding for development of the site has been provided by the NYS Education Department through a Federal Perkins III grant. Please email us with your comments, questions and ideas, or tell us about any great links we can add to this site. Thanks for your feedback and support!
The Mission... of this site is to encourage women to enter high demand, high wage technical occupations in which women are traditionally underrepresented as well as support their college program completion and entry into the job-market.
Contact:
Tim Lahey
Director of Career Services
Meredith
Amberger
Technical Education Retention Specialis
Diane
Dalto
Technology Division Chair
About ACC: Adirondack Community College is located in upstate New York, at the foot of the Adirondack Mountains. ACC is a two-year college, accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, offering a wide variety of Associate and Certificate programs. Students benefit from our small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a newly designed, high-tech campus. For students seeking a higher degree, ACC has transfer agreements with many 4-year engineering colleges, including RPI, RIT, SUNY and Union College. If you are in the area and would like to stop by and visit the campus. Call for directions or Get Directions here.
CAREERS–Transferring
from Adirondack Community College
Adirondack Community
College Home Page
Women In Technology LINKS
Women
In Technology HOME Page
Electrical Engineer: Electrical engineers design, develop, test and often supervise the manufacture, installation, and service of electrical equipment and components for commercial, industrial, military and scientific use. Engineers are also involved in the sale, scheduling and estimating of major industrial electrical projects.
Michelle Sgambati General Information Electrical Engineer Graduate of Norwich University - Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
Employer: North Country Engineering, PC
Position:
Project Engineer systems, security systems, communication systems, instrumentation
and control designs. Produce drawings, conduct research, meet with clients,
coordinate with architects and other engineering disciplines, consultants and
utility companies.
Why did you choose a career in a technical field? I always
enjoyed math and science and electrical engineering utilizes both. Also, there
will always be a need for people in technical fields and the market is always
growing.
What do you like most about your career? Being a consultant
engineer allows me the technical aspects of designing electrical systems but
also lets me interact with many people, not only staff, but also people in different
disciplines and positions. Also, the projects you work on are different. You
are constantly overcoming new challenges and solving problems.
Please share any Additional information that you feel might be helpful
to women considering a technical career: It's a great way to make a
living! Don't get discouraged about the amount of work or difficulty of courses
required to get your degree. Stick with it! It is definitely worth it in the
end. The amount of jobs and the variety of possibilities are enormous.
Electrical Engineer Statistics
National
Average of Women in Electrical Engineering 10.2%
Electrical Engineers Employed Nationally 639,000
Female Electrical Engineers Employed Nationally 65,000
National Average Starting Salary $45,800
New York State Average Annual Salary (2000) $45,800-$79,950
Electrical
Engineer Links
Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Society of Women Engineers
ACC
ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY A.A.S. PROGRAM
Statistics
National
Average of Women in Electrical Technology 7.9%
Electrical
Techs Employed Nationally 217,000
Female Electrical Techs
Employed Nationally 17,000
National
Average Starting Salary $36,000
New York State Average Annual Salary (2000) $34,950 - $47,050
Electronics
Technicians Association
American
Electronics Association
International Society of
Certified Electronics Technicians
Radio
Announcers: select and introduce music, host and interview guests,
and report on news, sports, and weather as well as community events and events
pertinent to their audience. Duties may include research and writing as well
as on-location broadcast promotions and sales. Television announcer duties are
similar although TV announcers usually specialize in specific areas such as
sports, news, or weather.
Statistics
Announcers
Employed Nationally 50,000
Female
Announcers Employed Nationally 11,000
Average Salary $34,500
Wage Range $15,530– 42,680
National
Average 22% of Radio Announcers are women
Links
Federal Communications Commission
National Association of Broadcast
Employees and Technicians
American Women in Radio and Television
National Association of Broadcasters
ACC
RADIO–TELEVISION BROADCASTING AAS PROGRAM
ACC RADIO
BROADCASTING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Broadcast
Technicians:
install,
maintain, test, and operate electronic equipment used to record and transmit
radio and television programs. Equipment used includes television cameras, microphones,
audio/video tapes, computerized editing systems, light and sound systems, and
transmitters and antennas. Technicians give direction to other studio personnel
and regulate the clarity, color and sound of broadcasts.
Interview: Leigh Reinhardt current Radio/TV Broadcasting student
ACC
RADIO BROADCASTING AAS PROGRAM
ACC
RADIO BROADCASTING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Statistics
Broadcast Techs Employed Nationally 31,000
Female Broadcast Techs Employed Nationally 4,000
National Average Starting Salary $25,000
New York State Average Annual Salary (2000) $22,790 - $50,990
Nationally there are 12.9% women working as Broadcast Technicians
Links
National
Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians
American Women in Radio and Television
National Association of Broadcasters
Federal Communications Commission
Architect
Architects
plan, design and often supervise the construction of office buildings, residential
structures, factories and other structural property. They evaluate customer's
needs, assist in site selection, draft plans and specify building material needs
and estimates. Architects must be familiar with building codes, as well as fire
and zoning regulations.
Interview:
Andrea Ziegler– current
Drafting Student– Adirondack Community College
Mechanical
Technology Major Expected Graduation - May 2003
Looking to get a job to get her "feet wet"
Why did you choose a career in a technical field?
I always loved to take things apart to see how they worked and
put them back together. I found things very interesting and enjoyed the problem
solving aspect.
What
do you like most about your college major?
The environment at school is great. It allows you to be creative
without discouragement.
Please share any Additional information that you feel might be helpful to
women considering a technical career:
Don't be afraid. This is not the typical "men's job", it's for
everyone. If this interests you at all, go for it...you'll love it. The technical
fields are for any type of person and the stereotypes out there just are not
true. If you like to take things apart and put them back together just to see
how they work or if you enjoy a challenge and problem solving it's for you.
ACC MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY AAS PROGRAM
Statistics
Architects
Employed Nationally 194,000
Female Architects Employed Nationally 30,000
National Average Starting Salary $29,500
New York State Average Annual Salary (2000) $41,750 - $74,720
Nationally 15.7% of architects are women
Architecture Links
American
Institute of Architects
Society of American Registered Architects
Association of Collegiate Schools of
Architecture
Drafter
Drafters prepare technical drawings through manual drawings and, more commonly,
computer-aided design. Drafters specify details such as spacing specifications,
codes and calculations on drawings to be used in the sale and construction of
civil, mechanical, aeronautical, electrical or architectural products and structures.
STATISTICS
National
Average of Women in Drafting 18.3%
Drafters
Employed Nationally 235,000
Female
Drafters Employed Nationally 43,000
National Average Starting Salary $23,500
New York State Average Annual Salary (2000) $28,100 - $47,470
Interview:
Danielle Wright, Mechanical Technology student
Danielle Wright Mechanical Technology Major Expected Graduation - May
2002
Plans to transfer or obtain direct employment Additional Degree - Business Administration
/ ACC
Why did you choose a career in a technical field?
The field is interesting and challenging. I'm always up for a challenge and
looking for something new.
What do you like most about your college major?
The thing I like most about my major is the variety within the field. There
is so much to learn and each aspect of the field is different.
Please share any Additional information that you feel might be helpful to
women considering a technical career:
Any woman that is up for an interesting occupation that allows her to be creative
and inventive should defiantly explore the technical fields available.
ACC DRAFTING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
Civil Engineer
Civil
engineering is a broad field that includes the design, planning and overseeing
of the construction of structures such as buildings, roads, railroads, bridges,
tunnels, water and wastewater systems, and irrigation projects. Civil engineers
may specialize in transportation/traffic or other areas, such as structural
inspection and repair.
Adirondack Community College Technology Division Chair
Diane
W. Dalto
NYS Licensed Professional Engineer
BS Civil Engineering, Michigan State
MS Civil Engineering, RPI
Statistics
National Average of Women in Civil Engineering is 9.4%
Civil Engineers Employed Nationally 287,000
Female Civil Engineers Employed Nationally 27,000
National Average Starting Salary $37,000
New York State Average Annual Salary (2000) $42,250 - $71,800
Links
American
Society of Civil Engineers
Society
of Women Engineers
Chemical
Engineer
Chemical engineers use chemistry, physics, and math along with engineering
tools to solve problems relating to the production and use of chemicals. This
includes things like refining gasoline and other fuels from petroleum, purifying
of drinking water, treating waste, recovering raw materials, and producing and
processing food. They can work in chemical manufacturing, electronics, pollution
control, even medicine and food processing.
STATS
Starting Salary: Bachelor's degree: $51,572
Master's degree was $57,887
with a Ph.D. was $73,138
LINKS
http://www.engineergirl.org
www.calmis.cahwnet.gov
www.intstudy.com/articles/sl275a43.htm
www.bls.gov
www.pafko.com/history
Pioneer Women at
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Ellen
Swallow Richards
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Statistics
Starting Salary: Bachelor's degree $51,572
Master's degree was $57,887
with a Ph.D. was $73,138
INTERVIEW
E. Jay Murphy, Chemical Engineer
of The
Phantom Labs
BA Chemistry
Skidmore College (1978)
MS Chemical Engineering
Yale (1980)
Want to be an engineer?
I just fell into engineering because as I was finishing my BA, job options did
not appeal to me. I applied to a number of graduate chemical engineering programs,
since I figured my chemistry degree was adequate preparation. Of course I found
out that this was not true, but it was still a good decision. I found I really
enjoyed designing my experimental apparatus and doing the actual lab work. It
gave me the confidence to move into an unknown field.
I would suggest that anyone considering an engineering degree work on his or
her math skills. I find that being comfortable manipulating numbers is crucial
to doing the work.
My day at work:
Work can consist of many different tasks in a day. It can consist of talking
with clients to better understand what they want done and to help them understand
what I can do for them, doing some actual design and/or research, working with
other people on the design team to make sure that everyone is working toward
the common goal, and documenting everything. You need a paper trail to remember
how and why decisions are made.
What
I do:
The bulk of what I do now is problem solve for clients. Generally they come
to me with a goal and ask for help in getting there. It can be material in building
something or fixing something that isn't working. It can be procedural, for
example, helping them to get through a permitting process or laying out an entire
process for getting a project done. The value of having a lot of common sense
cannot be overstated. The best engineering work applies appropriate technology
for the specific situation.
Why engineering?
I enjoy engineering because it is intellectually challenging and appeals to
my mindset. Part of it is that the profession rewards logical thought and a
step-by-step approach to managing a task. It also pays fairly well.
Proud moments:
The fun part is building something that I've designed. It gives tangible proof
that I figured something out and it works!
The best part of being an engineer...working with smart people to solve interesting problems.
Engineering
Technician
Engineering
technicians use the principles and theories of science, engineering, and mathematics
to solve technical problems in research and development, manufacturing, sales,
construction, inspection, and maintenance. Their work is more limited in scope
and more practically oriented than that of scientists and engineers. Many engineering
technicians assist engineers and scientists, especially in research and development.
Others work in quality control—inspecting products and processes, conducting
tests, or collecting data. In manufacturing, they may assist in product design,
development, or production maintenance, and the research and development of
new products. Workplaces include laboratories, factories, offices, and construction
sites.
Statistics
National
Average of Women employed as Lab Technicians 9%
Engineering
Technicians Employed Nationally
Female Lab Technicians Employed Nationally
National Average Starting Salary
New York State Average Annual Salary
INTERVIEW
Bonnie Hanlon
The Phantom Lab
Greenwich, NY
Education
No formal education, various seminars over the years on subjects I wanted
to learn more about. Married and started a family in my early 20's Started a
career at the Lab in 1990
What I Do
I'm a hands on supervisor. I enjoy my job because it gives
me a chance to experience a variety of challenges on a daily basis. I'm responsible
for the overall production, making sure that we deliver a quality product in
a timely manor. This involves working around and redirecting employees schedules,
ordering and having an inventory of purchased goods to produce the product,
documenting procedures to ensure consistent quality products, Investigating
new tools, chemicals, safety and communication skills. I'm skilled in the actual
process of making our products which means when orders are up and the demands
of production increase I will work production.
Why the Technical Field
I really enjoy working with my hands, but also I enjoy
the challenge of exploring and implementing new ideas.
Proud moments
Every day has its proud moments, however small or large
they give you a good feeling.
My
family
I'm married and have 2 children age 15 and 16. I started
a family in my early twenties and established myself as a mother before seeking
out a working career. Want to be in the tech. field I had stayed home with my
children for 3-4 years when they were born, I got them off to a good start .
The company I'm working for now had just moved to town and was seeking employees.
I've been when them ever since because my position presents numerous challenges
which holds my interest plus lets me expand my knowledge.
School
days
Everyone is different. I do realize now, in my 30's, that a 2 or 4 year degree
in just about anything would enhance my ability to be able to relocate if I
wanted to. I have not dismissed college, I'm just currently taking care of my
family and my job- that is enough right at the moment.
My day at work
The challenge in our work place is that our products are hand made, ( not a
line item) which can be continually improved upon as technology introduces itself.
This information is introduced in all kinds of ways- you just need to be open
to receive it and interested enough to find it. Most good ideas come from a
variety of people and discussion's. You need to be able to listen and put this
information together in an efficient manor to produce good results. This applies
to my daily work, every day. A desire to continually improve upon existing procedures
(being a go-getter) and acting on it is a good asset. I don't think this explains
my minute by minute day at work but these qualities are necessary to compete
and move forward in the tech field.
Links
http://www.engineergirl.org
www.calmis.cahwnet.gov
www.intstudy.com/articles/sl275a43.htm
www.bls.gov
www.pafko.com/history
Ellen
Swallow Richards
Pioneer
Women at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Information Technology: Networking– A.A.S
The Information Techonology programs provide students with an experience that will directly prepare then for employment. This is achieved through core courses that are combined with specialized courses in a concentration of the students choosing. A capstone experience including an internship at an area business helps to anchor the student's academic experience. The core is designed so that students can easily move from one Information Technology degree to another if their interest or focus changes.
The Networking program is intended for students who, upon graduating from ACC wish to enter the workforce as networking assistants. However, transfer options to a four-year college are possible. The curriculum is designed to provide the student with a solid basis in the hardware, cabling and the fundamentals necessary to install and maintain a computer network from desktop to ISP. The curriculum is coordinated through the CISCO Networking Academy (on-campus) to assist the student in preparing to achieve the CISCO Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) industry certification. This certification is received upon passing the CCNA exam (off-campus). Recommended High School Preparation: if available: computer hardware class, basic networking/LAN class.
In addition to the CCNA students can take advanced networking courses in Remote Access (Cisco 6), Multilayer Switching (Cisco 7), and Advanced Network Troubleshoot (Cisco 8). These courses along with Advanced Routing (Cisco 5) prepare students in achieving the Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) industry certification. This certification is received upon passing the CCNP exams (off-campus). Recommended for High School graduates and individuals who achieved their CCNA certification prior to entering ACC.
About the Site
The Adirondack Community College Women in Technology web site was created at ACC by Maureen Kinsella (instructor) and Jackie Thorne (student) during the Graphic Design for the Web course. This course is offered every Spring.
Maureen
Kinsella
Special Adjunct, Communications
and Media Arts
Jackie
Thorne
Communications
and Media Arts student
ACC
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA ARTS AAS DEGREE
ACC
COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA ARTS CERTIFICATE
Resource
Links
ASSOCIATION
SITES
Association
for Women in Science
www.awis.org
Advocates for Women in Science, Engineering, & Mathematics
www.awsem.org
National Science Foundation
www.nsf.gov
National Association of Female Executives
www.nafe.com
American Association of University Women
www.aauw.org
Society of Women Engineers
www.swe.org
National Association of Women in Construction
www.nawic.org
National Center for Construction Education & Research
www.nccer.org
The Institute for Women in Trades, Technology, and Science
www.iwitts.com
National Women's Law Center
www.nwlc.org
National School-to-Work Learning and Information Center
www.stw.ed.gov
Wider Opportunities for Women
www.w-o-w.org
Women's Bureau - US Dept. of Labor
www.dol.gov/dol/wb
On-Line Ethics Center for Engineering & Science http://onlineethics.org/ecsel.index.html
National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity
www.napequity.org
Leadership America
www.leadershipamerica.com
Committee on Women in Science and Engineering
www.nationalacademies.org/cwse
National Association of Women Business Owners
www.nawbo.org
On-line Association of Engineers in Automation
http://www.automationtechies.com
American Association of Certified Engineering Technicians
http://www.nicet.org
National Institute forCertification in Engineering Technologies
CAREER
INFORMATION
NYS Department
of Labor and Career Zone
www.labor.state.ny.us
Occupational Outlook Handbook
www.bls.gov/ocohome.htm
The Riley Guide
www.rileyguide.com
America's Career InfoNet
www.acinet.org/acinet
Princeton Review
www.review.com
ACC Students & Alumni - College Central
www.collegecentral.com/sunyacc
FOR
YOUNG WOMEN
Discover
Engineering
www.discoverengineering.org
The Quest Beyond the Pink Collar
www.library.thinkquest.org/12336/
Webgrrls
www.webgrrls.com
Girls Inc. (Former Girls Club of America)
www.girlsinc.org
The Back Yard Project
www.backyard.org
Girl Tech
www.girltech.com
TRANSFER
INFORMATION
SUNY Colleges
www.suny.edu
Peterson's www.petersons.com
Universities.com www.universities.com
College Board Online www.collegeboard.com
Embark.com www.embark.com
CollegeNet www.collegenet.com
Go College www.gocollege.com
ADDITIONAL
COLLEGE TECH SITES
Vermont
Technical College (Women in Technology Program) www.vtc.vsc.edu/wit
Dartmouth (Women in Technology Program)
www.dartmouth.edu/~wisp/
SUNY Stony Brook (Women in Technology Program)
www.wise.sunysb.edu
SCHOLARSHIPS/FOUNDATIONS
AT&T Foundation
www.att.com/foundation
National Science Foundation www.nsf.org
COMPREHENSIVE
SITES
Two-Year
College Development Center www.albany.edu/nontraditionalcareers
CRADA
www.crada.com/links-women.html
Women of NASA
http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/women
Career Options Institute
careeroptions.neric.org
Work 4 Women
www.work4women.org
The Back Yard Project
www.backyard.org
Women's Work
www.womenswork.org
Dragonladies
www.dragonladies.net
Women Work
www.womenwork.org
Women in Technology International
www.witi.com
Working Women
www.wwn.com
WOMEN'S
HISTORY
National
Women's History Project
www.nwhp.org
International Archive of Women in Architecture
spec.lib.vt.edu/iawa
Women's History
www.thehistorynet.com/womenshistory