"I believe our organization has the potential to make a change in the workforce. By giving our organization members the tools to succeed in the future, we can help create more gender diversity in the technical field.”                                                                                                                                                                                                  — Amanda Krawczyk, President, Women in Technology

The Harbert College is dedicated to providing relevant, forward-looking, and engaging curricula, instruction and high-impact experiential learning opportunities.

Twenty-four women studying Information Systems Management and Business Analytics at the Harbert College have an opportunity they never had before: their own student organization. 

Women in Technology, an organization designed to connect female students to industry leaders and better prepare them for careers beyond the Harbert College, was recently organized and began holding chapter meetings this semester. 

“As a freshman getting into Business Analytics, I always thought of how incredible it would be to have an organization like Women in Technology on campus,” said Amanda Krawczyk, chapter president. “Now it feels even more special to play a role in starting it. Even at the university level, I believe our organization has the potential to make a change in the workforce. By giving our organization members the tools to succeed in the future, we can help create more gender diversity in the technical field.” 

Dr. Sumin Han, Women in Technology Faculty Advisor and Assistant Professor in Systems and Technology at the Harbert College, noted that only 28 percent of the worldwide systems and technology workforce is female. 

“It has been expected that the equality gap can be made even in roughly 14 years,” she said. “Maybe we can contribute to reducing this gap. We will be developing students’ analytical skills through workshops, which will involve statistical software, including Tableau.” 

Guest speakers with industry experience will also play a role in guiding the students. 

“We want to provide workshops for programs, resumes, and interviews, invite guest speakers to talk about their work experience with us, and create an open dialogue about challenges in the technical field,” said Krawczyk. “By doing so, we can prepare our members to excel in the technical workforce.” 

Other officers chosen to help administrate the organization’s first year include Morgan Lyons, Vice President, Ellen Gallagher, Secretary, and Emma Meeks, Executive of Campus Outreach. 

Han said students will meet twice monthly. 

“I have seen a strong interest from students who really needed this opportunity,” she said. “Women with degrees in Information Systems Management or Business Analytics can go anywhere after graduation. They can go into banking. They can go into marketing. They can go into sports analytics, manufacturing companies or service organizations. There are so many opportunities out there. With this new student organization, we can help them meet these opportunities.” 

For more information about Harbert College’s Women in Technology student organization, contact Sumin Han at szh0117@auburn.edu.