Three Missouri State University computer science students attended the Missouri Iowa Nebraska Kansas Women in Computing (MINK WIC) conference in Kansas City November 3-4.

Taylor Cook, Carmen Creswell and Alisha Greer gained experience by participating in events that emphasized the role of women in the computer science and technology fields.

“Being a woman in a male-dominated field can be off-putting and make you feel like an imposter, as if you know less and do worse work than your male counterparts,” Cook said. “This conference was a nice reassurance that we are no less smart, creative or driven just because less women pursue this path.”

Conference details

The conference included speeches from Jeanne Johnson, director of business development at Microsoft, and Jakita Thomas, associate professor at Auburn University.

Attendees of the conference were also presented with networking opportunities, a career panel, presentations by undergraduate and graduate students, and a banquet to wrap up the festivities.

More than experience

The goal for the organizations that put on these events is to inspire the people that attend them.

“The whole experience was very motivational and made me feel secure in my decision to pursue this degree and career path,” Cook said.