EVENT: Sign Up for our FREE Mentoring event on Tuesday 7 November 2017- Critical Skills for Leadership

News about our next event on Tuesday 7 November 2017:

Girl Geek Scotland Mentoring Community: Critical Skills for Leadership

Did you know that mentors routinely give men and women very different advice? While men are told to fill specific gaps in experience, and build much needed skill-sets, women are told to improve confidence. The subconscious bias in this advice is responsible for holding a lot of women back from Leadership roles. In this workshop we will explore what skills and experience are needed to get into a Leadership role, and what special qualities are desired at the highest levels.

Girl Geek Scotland (GGS) has been developing world-class educational and networking experiences for women in Digital Technologies since 2008. We see the engagement of women in technology as being critical to the competitiveness of this sector, and to the development of our economy.

 

Pre-register on Eventbrite                                               

Please pre-register for the event as there are limited spaces and fire regulations mean that only people who register on Eventbrite can be admitted.

Eventbrite - Critical Skills for Leadership

ARTICLE: Introducing – Cyber Angels

By Samantha Leeman, Bright Purple Resourcing. Original article available here.

At Girl Geek Scotland our aim is to grow a community of professionals and entrepreneurs who are able to support each other at entry-level and throughout their careers in computing, creativity, and enterprise. A big part of this is ensuring that there are role models for everyone to learn from and aspire to.

The skills shortage in Cybersecurity is something that is and continues to be well documented; by 2018 there will be a global shortage of 4.2 million people who work in the sector. And according to (ISC)2’s latest study, only 6% of those working in the sector are women, a drop of 4% after the figure remained unchanged for 2 years at 10%.

Keen to address the lack of role models for women in Cybersecurity, Samantha Leeman from Bright Purple Resourcing, also one of our Event Managers at Girl Geek Scotland, is running an event in Edinburgh on the 22nd September at Codebase on Castle Terrace, 6pm, until 9pm.

We would encourage anyone reading this to join us on the 22nd; if you are currently working in, or interested in learning more about Cybersecurity. The event is FREE and a great opportunity for you to network, learn more about the sector, and of course meet some role models!

Speakers at the event include Alison McAlroy – Information Security Manager – Tesco Bank, Chelsea Sievewright – Information, Risk and Security Consultant – Prudential, Jamie Graves – CEO – ZoneFox, and Laura Johnston – Associate Consultant – PwC.

The world of Cybersecurity has moved from how the media depicts a Cybersecurity expert; typically; a nerdy male sat alone on his laptop in-front of a black screen with green coding.

One of the key skills that employers are looking for is “communication”. Some of the biggest challenges people working in the sector currently face are; communicating with multiple stakeholders; and delivering business objectives whilst ensuring risk management continues to be prioritised.

Studies over the last 30 years have consistently indicated that women are better communicators than men; and these skills are important than ever, as the Cybersecurity sector continues to adapt to changing technologies.

Chelsea Sievewright – Information Risk and Security Consultant at Prudential said, “I’m delighted to be speaking at Girl Geek Scotland’s even on the 22nd of September, it’s great to have the opportunity to pass on my knowledge in a supportive and relaxed environment. Samantha is doing a brilliant job organising this event in Edinburgh, and I’m really looking forward to it. It is a wonderful opportunity to network with other women working in Information Security and also showcase the great talent we have in Scotland. It’s no secret that women are severely underrepresented in the sector and I’m always looking for ways to help promote it to younger women.

Events like these provide a channel for collaborations and new ideas on how we can help bridge the skills gap in the future.”

So come and join Girl Geek Scotland for FREE on the 22nd September at Codebase 6pm – 9pm, you are all welcome. Event link here. (This is event is sold out as of 1 September, but there is an active waiting list so do put your name down and you will be notified if tickets become available).

LAUNCH: Join The Girl Geek Scotland Network and Mentoring Community online!

The Girl Geek Scotland Network online is now LIVE 


Register for FREE today to join our Girl Geek Scotland Network and Mentoring Community Online Here


It has long been the intention of Girl Geek Scotland to bring the informal network and community to life – and today sees the launch of our online GGS Network and Community.


The online Girl Geek Scotland Network is an online version of our network of incredible contacts, event speakers, participants, and attendees – who are practitioners, peers and leaders in the industries of technology, computing, IT, digital, creative, media, business, enterprise and other related sectors.

The purpose is to provide a dedicated place for our unique network of people, encouraging and enabling them to connect and support each other outside of our live events. So the next time you attend one of our events you can follow-up with the contacts you made there on this online network. Send a friend request and keep the networking going. Or simply browse the network, groups and forums whenever you need to connect with like-minded people.

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Girl Geek Scotland welcomes and encourages contribution and participation from people of all gender identities, physical abilities, neurotypical and atypical people, religions and ethnicities. We ask everyone participating to show respect for others at all times and to abide by our Anti-Harassment Policy.


The online Girl Geek Scotland Network lets you search members, send friend requests, make activity posts, share news, send private messages, post discussion topics to forums, and more. You will see activity from what Girl Geek Scotland is up to with our News and Events as usual, and all members’ activity.

We’re very excited :-)

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Alongside the GGS Network is our online Girl Geek Scotland Mentoring Community which is specifically focused on those who have signed up for and attended our recent GGS Mentoring Community events. To join the Mentoring Community, simply sign up to Join GGS online here, complete your profile filling out the section “Specialist Areas of Work and Knowledge” thoroughly to maximise your findability – and request to join the GGS Mentoring Community Group. Once approved you can post in the group forum, communicate with other group members, and the group admins will help enable mentor-mentee connections.

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CLICK HERE TO JOIN TODAY

It will only take a few minutes to sign up and get your profile going!

 


Girl Geek Scotland

At Girl Geek Scotland our aim is to grow a community of professionals and entrepreneurs who are able to support each other at entry-level and throughout their careers in computing, creativity, and enterprise. A big part of this is ensuring that there are role models for everyone to learn from and aspire to.

Girl Geek Scotland welcomes people from all gender identities, physical abilities, neurotypical and atypical people, religions and ethnicities. We ask everyone attending to show respect for others at all times.


GGS Event Policies

Please refer to our Anti-Harassment Policy and Event Photography / Videography Policy as set out on our website. Your acceptance of which is assumed should you register to attend one of our events.


With thanks

With enormous thanks to our main partners who help us make this happen. They are:

EdinburghNapierUniversity

Now home to over 18,000 students from over 100 countries, we first welcomed 800 students as Napier Technical College in 1964. However our story goes back to the time of John Napier, the brilliant sixteenth century mathematician and philosopher from whom we take our name. When you come to Edinburgh Napier University, you’ll study at one of our six specialist schools. Each of our schools is an impressive institution in its own right, with world-class facilities, academics, researchers and international links.

BRT working logo

Bright Red Triangle (BRT) offers a comprehensive set of professional/personal development activities for students and graduates in partnership with key stakeholders within and beyond Edinburgh Napier. Our focus is on improving the enterprise skills and employability of our students and graduates while instilling them with an entrepreneurial mindset. We offer business incubation services, paid consultancy experience as well as design thinking and design your future courses to our current and past students.

EVENT: GGS Mentoring Community: Find Your Mentor!

Looking for a mentor / mentee in the technology industry?

This event is for you!

Girl Geek Scotland’s Mentoring Community

We are working to build a fantastic community and make it easy as we can for interested people to find mentors in their area. If you are looking for advice or guidance from those working in your industry, in similar situations, on how to get into the industry, how to handle difficult situations, or almost anything we will find you a mentor to work with you.

The Girl Geek Scotland Mentoring Community is running its first live networking event for anybody who wants to be part of the mentorship community. The event and the mentoring community is open to people of all genders, over 18-years-old.

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Mentor / Mentee Networking Event, August 2016

This event is taking place at Waverley Gate in Edinburgh in August. We will start off with a brief presentation on why mentoring can be particularly useful for both sides of the relationship. Following up will be quick fire ice breakers in small groups but the majority of the session will be around small group discussions about what you are looking from a mentoring relationship and setting a first meeting up with a potential mentor.

  • Cost to attend: FREE.
  • Refreshments available: small snacks, drinks.
  • What you need to bring: This is a networking event so don’t forget your business cards!
  • What we need from you: For entry to the building we will need some basic information about you in advance. We will contact you about this before the event.

 

Register to attend our networking event on Eventbrite here

 

Also, why not sign up for our Mentoring Community online

Register to be a Mentee and / or Mentor.

If you’re looking for a mentor in the technology or related sectors why not join our mentoring community. Similarly if you are looking for the opportunity to grow your skillset and help others then signing up to be one of our mentors could be exactly what you are looking for.

It will only take 5 minutes to sign up for the community, any information you share with us will be private, but we will use it to find you the best mentee / mentor. Sign up to the mentoring community here.

What happens once I register?

We aim to pair you up with the perfect person for you whether a mentee or mentor and make those initial introductions.

 

GGS Event Policies

Please refer to our Anti-Harassment Policy and Event Photography / Videography Policy as set out on our website. Your acceptance of which is assumed should you register to attend one of our events.

 

 

With thanks

With enormous thanks to our partners, sponsors and suppliers who help us make this happen. They are:

 

Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh is responsible for devising and growing innovations for Amazon around the world. Small teams of developers, designers and leaders run major parts of Amazon’s business, technology and operations. From interactive UI design to large-scale distributed systems and machine learning, we do whatever it takes to deliver great products and experiences for our customers.

This is a place where you can make a real difference to customers by inventing, enhancing and building world-class software and delivering amazing results. We offer exceptional opportunities to grow your technical and non-technical skills by working on exciting and challenging projects.

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Enigma People Solutions Logo - Copy

Enigma People Solutions are a multi award winning recruitment consultancy, specialising in contract and permanent vacancies across: Digital Media, Software Development, Electronics, Technology Sales & Marketing, Technology Support, We offer a professional, flexible, and honest consultancy service to businesses across Scotland, The UK, and internationally.

CathcartAssociates

Cathcart Associates was founded by a team of the country’s most successful recruiters, with a desire to show that good recruitment consultancy should provide a service which is simple, professional and effective. Their approach demonstrates that recruiting technical talent can be simple, seamless and enjoyable, and provides a service which adds value at every stage of the recruitment process. They are an agile and independent organisation with no parent group and are able to offer a more cost-effective solution, allowing investment more freely into their database and advertising reach.

SpringPersonnel

Spring Personnel specialise in all aspects of office based and industrial recruitment. Their expertise lies in the provision of flexible staffing programmes, developed to ensure that clients receive a comprehensive staffing service. Their consultative approach is designed to ensure that each client experiences a service that is relevant to their recruitment strategy and organisation. From one-off assignments to totally managed recruitment programmes Spring Personnel has the expertise and resources to deliver a full range of recruitment services, addressing the entire recruitment cycle.

Administrate

Administrate are a dedicated team that are passionate about making lives better through software. They spend most of their day talking to, developing for, and thinking about training providers (their customers) and their students. Their software helps training companies and training departments manage their entire business. Their integrated online system includes three products that focus on making training administration easier, helping deliver outstanding e-learning, and assisting in keeping websites up-to-date.

InformaticsVentures

Informatics Ventures supports globally ambitious technology companies headquartered in Scotland. Through practitioner-led entrepreneurship education and community networking, they prepare and equip Scotland’s technology entrepreneurs to scale up internationally. Engage Invest Exploit (EIE), their flagship technology investor showcase, connects Scotland’s most exciting and innovative young companies with investors from all over the world and prepares them for the process of securing investment. There is no bigger platform for Scottish businesses than EIE.

sicsa-logo

SICSA The Scottish Informatics and Computer Science Alliance (SICSA) is a Scottish Funding Council Research Pool, comprising 14 of Scotland’s Universities. Our goal is to develop Scotland’s research excellence in Informatics and Computing Science (ICS) by supporting and facilitating collaboration among our members.

EdinburghNapierUniversity

Now home to over 18,000 students from over 100 countries, we first welcomed 800 students as Napier Technical College in 1964. However our story goes back to the time of John Napier, the brilliant sixteenth century mathematician and philosopher from whom we take our name. When you come to Edinburgh Napier University, you’ll study at one of our six specialist schools. Each of our schools is an impressive institution in its own right, with world-class facilities, academics, researchers and international links.

BRT working logo

Bright Red Triangle (BRT) offers a comprehensive set of professional/personal development activities for students and graduates in partnership with key stakeholders within and beyond Edinburgh Napier. Our focus is on improving the enterprise skills and employability of our students and graduates while instilling them with an entrepreneurial mindset. We offer business incubation services, paid consultancy experience as well as design thinking and design your future courses to our current and past students.