Purdue News

March 29, 2002 Young women explore career opportunities in computer sciences WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – More than 70 young women from high schools throughout the Midwest will be on the Purdue University campus April 13 to experience what it's like to be a computer scientist for a day. The sixth annual Women In Computer Sciences Day, sponsored by Purdue's Department of Computer Sciences, will include two hands-on workshops and a talk by a professional in the field. The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Purdue's Computer Science Building, also will include a tour of the university and a luncheon. Stephanie Scherer, a Purdue alumna currently employed at Aprimo Inc. in Indianapolis, will speak at the luncheon. Aprimo Inc. provides Web-based software applications designed to support marketing functions. Mary-Ann Neel, an academic counselor in the computer science department, said 72 high school juniors from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan will attend the event. The goal of the career day is to inform young women about opportunities in computer science and show them how they can achieve success in the field, Neel said. "The present and future need for computer scientists is enormous, and it is an area in which women are greatly underrepresented," she said. "This event is designed to help make young women aware that computer science is a profession that can be exciting and rewarding, and is a field in which they can enjoy success while making a contribution." Further information about Women In Computer Sciences Day is available by calling Neel at (765) 494-6025 or (800) 320-6132, or contacting her via e-mail at maneel@cs.purdue.edu. CONTACT: Mary-Ann Neel, (765) 494-6025, maneel@cs.purdue.edu. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page