Growing up, I was one of three girls in my neighborhood – tackle football and "playing cars" filled many of my days. During my summers in high school, I worked for my town’s Public Works department. As the first female to ever work there, my employment required special training for the other full-time employees and a lock to be put on the locker room door. When I began my career at Applied, there were only a handful of women in my department. Finding strong female role models within Applied was often a challenge.
You could say that I am very familiar with bias…but it hasn’t always felt like a burden.
Connecting to Women in Technology at Applied
March brings the second Women’s History Month celebration for Women in Technology at Applied. Like Loretta Lynn once sang, “We’ve come a long way, baby” but I’m certain she’d agree we have a long way to go.
Where It All Began
The Women in Technology at Applied Community of Interest (COI) began in 2020 out of a passion to create an environment of both professional support and comradery for all women (and their allies) within Applied. Our mission has always been to assist in personal and professional development, career advancement, and attract other strong female candidates to work at Applied.
How Applied Is Breaking the Bias
Throughout March, the Women in Technology at Applied COI will offer opportunities to educate, empower, and empathize with women.
Opportunities include:
-
A three-week LinkedIn Learning Challenge intended to celebrate women through bite-sized videos aiding in understanding bias in the workplace and how to become a stronger ally to women.
-
For International Women’s Day, we will take a moment – and strike a pose – to #BreakTheBias. This year, we will focus on celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against bias, and taking action for equality.
-
Through our most recent program Celebrate!, we will highlight the amazing and talented women we have within Team Applied. By getting to know one another through short, engaging interviews, we can better support and encourage each other in our respective and collective journeys.
What is your company doing to #BreakTheBias?
-
Andrea Meyer
Cloud Services Enablement Manager
Andrea Meyer began her career at Applied in 2008. She is a Cloud Services Enablement Manager and Women in Tech Community of Interest Co-Chair. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing volleyball.
