Once again, I find myself at a large conference I try to attend every year because it is an excellent way to keep up with technical acquaintances and personal friends in the field, all the while learning about the current and future research in the field.
The meeting also usually points out that I don't exactly blend in. People remember me easily, and I find myself in the "I have no idea who you are, how do you remember me?" scenario all the time. Or, better yet, a session chair can ask me at the coffee break a day later how I liked his session that he noticed I attended (along with 300 other people).
I tell myself that I should take advantage of my recognizability as a way to make up for the common assumption that I am not a computer scientist, also based solely on my gender. Although I do struggle with being remembered for what I look like rather than for what I do in this technical setting.
Any thoughts on the matter?
The perverse incentives of academia
6 years ago
3 comments:
Own it. Take any advantage you can get. If people remember you because you are a woman, be happy there's a benefit hidden among the disadvantages!
I am with EcoGeoFemme. Own it, use it, just don't abuse it ;)
Agreed with EGF (hi EGF!). Use it to your advantage. It's the scientific equivalent to "there's no such thing as bad publicity."
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