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| The Google 2008 Anita Borg Scholarship |
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| Home About Google Jobs Students  Profiles Learn about past scholarship recipients. Application Reminder |
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Profiles Shana Watters University: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis Education Level: PhD Major: Computer Science Why did you apply for the Google Anita Borg Scholarship? When I first looked at the scholarship’s requirements, I convinced myself that I was not qualified enough or good enough to compete for the scholarship. Over the next few weeks, I found myself continually thinking about the essay questions and how I would answer them. I decided that I would follow my own advice that I often give students while I am a teaching assistant. It is not the things that we find easy that we take pride in, it is those things that we struggle with and finally overcome that we look back on and have a sense of accomplishment from. Applying for the Google Anita Borg Scholarship was one of these opportunities. I was facing the possibility that my application would be rejected and I realized that the reason I didn’t apply at first was that I thought it would be better to not even try rather than face this rejection. I had things that I wanted to say in those essays and the only way I would be given the opportunity to say them was to fill out the application! So, I did. I told my advisor, Dr. Maria Gini, that regardless of whether or not I received a scholarship, I was proud of myself. I really meant it! By applying, I was able take away from the experience a satisfying sense of accomplishment. I answered the essays and expressed in them what I thought was important. What an excellent opportunity to express my own thoughts to others. So, why did I apply for the scholarship? I applied because Anita Borg was a visionary who faced the possibility of failure and rejection head on and I wanted to be like her. Face it, learn from it, and possibly be successful. What a wonderful experience!
Nevine Abou Gazala University: University of Pittsburgh Education Level: PhD Major: Computer Science How has being a scholarship recipient impacted you? The biggest impact the scholarship has had is it made me morally commit to increase the involvement of women in the field. Before, I didn't really have a thing to hold onto, and now I have to be very active in promoting women in the field. The scholarship increased my confidence that I am on the right track and I feel that I have to pass this forward to other females.
Brianna Bethel University: University of Colorado, Boulder Education Level: Masters Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering How has being a scholarship recipient impacted you? Being a scholarship recipient has really renewed my interest in engineering and encouraged me in my career as an engineer. I think the best part of the scholarship was the opportunity to meet other amazing women who have a passion for engineering and a passion for life. Meeting these women provided me the opportunity to give and receive encouragement and share ideas. Along with meeting these women, learning more about Google's supportive environment and Anita Borg's dream has really inspired me to share my interest in engineering with other girls - perhaps those unsure if they would like to study engineering.
Soumi Sinha University: University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign Education Level: Bachelors Major: Computer Science What are you doing to inspire other women in technology? I have participated in mentoring and tutoring freshmen women in computer science and engineering. I was also involved in an outreach program called Chic Tech, it is geared towards high school girls in Illinois. We give presentations at their schools and organize a Technical Ambassadors Competition where they team up with other girls and work on a semester long technology related project for a community organization. It gives them a first hand experience at what a career in technology might entail and also encourages them to consider it as a major in college. Now that I am a Google Anita Borg Scholar, it gives me new platform to inspire incoming women in technology.
Moriah McClanahan University: Brigham Young University Education Level: Bachelors Major: Computer Science How has being a scholarship recipient impacted you? The biggest impact has been in my level of confidence. I have always struggled, like many women in science fields, with doubts about my abilities, but receiving an award like this has helped me realize that I can and will succeed in this field. Being the recipient of this award has been life-changing for me. I never thought I had a chance of receiving it, but I guess I'm evidence that people often exceed their own expectations.
Maria Gabriela Aguilera University: University of Texas at El Paso Education Level: Masters Major: Computer Science Why did you apply for the Google Anita Borg Scholarship? I have always looked for ways to finance my education so when my advisor recommended I apply for the Anita Borg Scholarship, I did. I want to encourage those women who are unsure of whether they should apply to do it. I say this because when I first read all about the scholarship, I thought, "Hmm, I dunno, it seems like a long shot" but in the end it worked out wonderfully. It has given me the opportunity to meet other women who, like myself, are interested in technology and are pursuing careers in computer science.
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