Computer Science Students Attend Grace Hopper Celebration

World's largest gathering of women and nonbinary technologists brings computing research and career interests to the forefront

by Tony Moore

As part of Dickinson’s Career Communities, four computer science students attended the Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) in Philadelphia last month. Named for the pioneering computer scientist and United States Navy rear admiral, and organized by the Anita Borg Institute for Women & Technology, the annual event brings together technologists from around the world.

“The moment I walked into the conference center, I was stunned by the incredible energy coming from thousands of women in technology,” says Linh Hoang ’26 (computer science, mathematics). “Each talk felt like a window into my possible future. Their stories were more than just career stories; they were evidence of persistence and growth in the technology industry.”

Those stories came from prominent speakers from across the tech landscape and the event’s keynote speakers, actresses America Ferrera and Viola Davis. The conference also featured panel discussions and technical sessions. And those gatherings were full of real-deal, real-world information.

"One of the most enriching aspects of GHC was the variety of workshops available to attendees,” says Mai Ngo ’25 (mathematics, computer science), noting that each workshop was led by industry experts who shared their insights and practical advice. “I had the opportunity to attend a session on demystifying the system-design interview led by Uber senior software engineers. The shared knowledge is invaluable for my future preparation for job seeking and for actually handling large systems at work later."

Students enjoyed the city of Philadelphia while attending the event. Photo by Andrea Lazarus.

While the event was awash in tech and those who live it, students also found on-ramps into the industry through the career expo, a component that allowed students to interact with major tech employers like Google, Apple and Microsoft and get a sense of the recruiting landscape.

“As a woman in a male-dominated industry, being surrounded by thousands of like-minded women was inspiring and reinforced my belief in a strong support network within our field,” says Monica Nguyen-Hoang ’26 (computer science). “Within the conference, the career fair was the perfect setting to connect with recruiters, and I took every opportunity to pitch myself, share my interests and learn more about their respective companies.”

The students' participation was made possible through Dickinson’s Career Innovation Fund, which covered registration, lodging, transportation and meals, exemplifying Dickinson’s commitment to enhancing students' professional development and career readiness, aligning with the college's Career Community model.

“I’m really proud of how they made the most of their time at the conference and are so motivated to launch their careers in tech,” says Andrea Lazarus, career pathway advisor for data & technology in the Center for Career Development, who adds that Career Communities offer a pathway for applying liberal-arts skills in technical careers. “Career Communities at Dickinson are just one of the many ways that we are able to support students along their career pathways.”

Trang Vu '25 (economics, computer science) felt that support throughout the experience, noting that the conference’s atmosphere inspired her to embrace the wider community and find ways to be there for others.

“GHC has not only expanded my horizons but also empowered me to see myself as an equal contributor to the field," Vu says. "And most importantly, I look forward to sharing these lessons with others and encouraging them to pursue their dreams with confidence and resilience.”

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Published November 22, 2024

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