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Guest speakers from Irene Xu from Citi and Virginia Yang from Ebay
are giving tips on how to do innovations to attendees of Girls Geek Coffees,
Singapore, First Meetup @ Asia One Square, Google office
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To be a programmer, scientist, computer guru and technical professional don't mean to be isolated from society introvert, who never goes out and socialize. So decided Miriam Hochwald and the talented Scholars of the Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship (AU/NZ) and Google, when they started GGC - Geek Girls Coffees Meetups around Australia & New Zealand in 2009. That was 4 years ago, when first meeting was organized, and today GGC has 64 chapters around the World, mainly in every city or near university campuses in Australia and New Zealand, but other continents catch up as well with Coffees in Canada, United States and United Kingdom and South America. And now with the launch of GeekGirlsCoffees in Singapore.
On the eve of 26th of April around 40 Geeks gathered for a first meeting in Google office in Singapore @Asia One Square. On a side note, Geek Girls are about balance and diversity, so male supporters are welcomed as well, and this time around third of the crowd were guys, that can't not to please, as males shows such an interest to participate in women activities and meetup, discuss topics and support initiatives.
Mostly students of technical and programming specialties of Singapore main universities such as Nanyang Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic and some of young technical professionals gathered to listen to Jaksha Shan, Leading Ambassador from Australia, who was opening and moderating Singapore First Geek Girls Coffee event. Jaksha conducted short presentation on what is Geek Girls Coffee Group, who are participants and what are the objects of the communities. Then participants had Google hangout with the GGC founder Miriam Hochwald in Australia and two other leading ambassadors, who shared their stories and experience, they've got being part of GGC. Guest speakers Irene Xu from Citi Bank and Virginia Yang from Ebay participated in panel discussion moderated by Tessa Davis, who was asking about balancing career and private life, equity between sexes at work and at home. Virginia was speaking about her experience of moving to live from US to Singapore after 10 years of work there, on how she adapted to new lifestyle and how she is managing her life and time being half of the month on business trips abroad and family time with her three years old son. Irene gave prospective on how collectives can be managed to reach best results, and gave advises on how to switch in career path from being in technical department to other parts of the company. According to Irene, the main thing you should have is great attitude to change, then it will help you to reach people and make them aware of your desires to learn. She also suggested to get additional education experience as some background for new role. Guests answered questions from young geeks on how to find and implement innovations at work. It the answer was very easy, you just need to think, how you can improve things, that you use in daily life - mobile phones and applications, home appliances and programs, anything can be improved, and it starts with small innovations, that can change significantly and the whole concept. After official session geek girls enjoyed goodies from Google, delicious bites and drinks talking and socializing, getting know each other and chatting with the guests.
Geek Girls Coffee tends to happen every one-two month and usually takes one-two hours for members and guests to listen, share, ask and socialize with small groups meetups in campus between sessions.
GGC aims to encourage open discussions and support development of students and young professionals, who are guided by Industry and Academic Ambassadors, including Males. But generously, Geek Girls Coffees are non-formal meet ups for tea, coffee, chocolate chat and socializing, that allows girls to share common interests and be themselves. It all meant to create relaxed and comfortable environment to network and get new connections, get some advises and industry insights, share thoughts and tips.
Come for Coffee next time, join Singapore Facebook Group for updates and stay connected, as membership is completely free and brings a lot of benefits - always free goodies, tea/coffee/chocolate and a lot of fun! or See you soon!
Singapore Chapter is also looking for Industry, Students, Academic Ambassadors - check GGC page to see, how you can help!
How Business Entrepreneurs founded Secret W Business, read my post about their launch on the April 4th.
How Business Entrepreneurs founded Secret W Business, read my post about their launch on the April 4th.
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| Girls Geek Coffees, Singapore, First Meetup @ Asia One Square, Google office |
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| Welcoming Goodies from host Google for Singapore Girls Geek Coffees First Meetup attendees |
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| Google Hangout with Miriam Hochwald and leading Ambassadors from Australia, Girls Geek Coffees, Singapore, First Meetup @ Asia One Square, Google office |
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| Jaksha Shah - Lead GGC Ambassodor from Australia is presenting Girls Geek Coffees concept to Singapore First Meetup crowd @Google office |
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| Guest speakers from Irene Xu from Citi and Virginia Yang from Ebay are sharing their experience of balancing career and family life, Girls Geek Coffees, Singapore, First Meetup @ Asia One Square, Google office |