Uplifting Women in Tech

The tech industry has a known gender gap. Women comprise approximately 25% of the tech workforce and hold only 11% of executive roles, as outlined in a 2024 Forbes article highlighting the “uphill battle women continue to face.”

Changing the culture requires boosting those percentages, and that’s exactly what the Women in Information and Computer Sciences (WICS) organization at UC Irvine is working toward. The WICS mission is to encourage women to pursue a college degree and successful career in the computer science field. By creating a welcoming and supportive community, WICS helps uplift women throughout their computing journey.

A Warm WICS Welcome

“WICS is, above all, a community,” says Sanika Bhamare, a senior informatics major in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) who serves as WICS co-president. “It’s a space where we support and uplift each other, whether it’s through career advice, class recommendations, or just having a group of people who understand the challenges we face in tech.” Sanika, an international student from India, has “truly felt at home” in WICS.

WICS co-president Aasha Sendhil feels the same. Both joined at the start of their UCI journey. “I spoke with some of the WICS leaders at the Anteater Involvement Fair and have been attending meetings ever since,” says Aasha, also a senior informatics major. WICS meets every Monday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. “I felt so comfortable meeting like-minded women with the same interests as me.”

With the goal of ensuring others feel just as welcomed as they felt, Sanika and Aasha have focused on offering as many opportunities as possible, helping their fellow UCI students succeed in their passions. “From mentorship support and career advice to socials aimed at helping students de-stress, we truly want WICS to offer a space that helps everyone succeed!”

Opportunities for Growth

WICS offers a wide variety of resources for professional development, including networking events, resume-building workshops, mock interviews, technical workshops, company information sessions and tours, internship opportunities, and conference sponsorships.

For example, WICS, in partnership with the ICS Office of Outreach, Access & Inclusion (OAI), sponsors the attendance of around 20 UCI students at the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. Applications for the GHC scholarship open at the end of spring quarter. “We usually host an info session during the quarter to share more details and firsthand experiences from past attendees,” says Sanika, who attended the 2024 GHC conference in Philadelphia. “It’s an incredible opportunity to network, connect with other women in tech, and learn from their experiences,” she says. “If you’re interested in tech, career growth, or just being part of an empowering community, we highly encourage you to apply!” This sponsorship is open to all graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a degree or minor within the School of ICS.

WICS hosts educational and community-building events as well, including study groups, tutoring and mentorship opportunities, and social gatherings such as game nights and karaoke sessions. In partnership with Hack@UCI, WICS also hosts VenusHacks, an annual women-centric hackathon held during week 8 of spring quarter. “It is an incredible opportunity for anyone who wants to learn how to code,” says Aasha. “No experience is needed. There are workshops to help you, and there are so many mentors and company representatives there to support you!”

Following in Footsteps

Sanika and Aasha are grateful for women who helped pave the way for their success, including Grace Hopper, the “queen of code,” and other famous women in tech.

They’re also grateful for the support they’ve received from WICS advisors Debra Richardson and Jennifer Wong-Ma. “Dr. Richardson is the founding dean of ICS and a founder of WICS. If it wasn’t for her, WICS wouldn’t be here, and the School of ICS wouldn’t be what it is today,” say Sanika and Aasha. “And Dr. Wong-Ma, as a professor and the vice chair of undergraduate studies in ICS, has taught just about every WICS member at some point in their UCI education!”

Sanika and Aasha stress the importance of having female role models visible throughout their undergraduate journey. “Many of us see ourselves in Dr. Richardson and Dr. Wong-Ma. They have supported WICS for years and always make themselves available to offer their advice and wisdom.”

Through their own leadership in WICS, Sanika and Aasha have strived to give back to the community that has given them so much. “WICS has shaped me in more ways than I can count,” says Sanika. “It’s a space where I feel supported, understood, and constantly motivated to grow.” Upon graduation in June, she plans to apply the skills she has learned in ICS and through her involvement in WICS to her career as a UX designer. “Nothing excites me more than designing experiences that make people’s lives easier and more intuitive.”

Aasha is excited to apply her skills in human-computer interaction and health informatics to tell stories through data and user-driven insights. “I am extremely passionate about using technology to make social impact and change,” she says. And while she acknowledges the importance of her technical skills, she adds that “having sufficient soft skills is crucial for success.” By helping women develop both technical and leadership skills, WICS lays the foundation for the next generation of tech executives. “I would not have success without the support of the WICS members who came before me,” says Aasha. “WICS has provided me the opportunity to learn how to lead and build future leaders.”

If you are a student interested in joining WICS, or a company looking to partner with WICS students, visit the WICS contact page.

— Shani Murray