Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Tips for convincing your boss to send you to the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing

The Grace Hopper Celebration is one of the largest gatherings of technical women in the world. Women come together to learn about the latest technology, learn new skills to enhance their careers, and build their network. Many women return year after year and leave motivated and energized to pursue their technical careers.

But if you want your boss to pay for your registration, you need to explain the bottom-line benefits—and there are plenty. We’ve compiled a handy list of the most compelling reasons to help you convince your boss that you attending the Grace Hopper Celebration will benefit not only you but your company.

1. You’ll get four days of continuing education on everything from new technologies to how to build your network to developing skills that will better equip you to do your job and become a more valuable employee.
2. Brush up on new technologies. Then take your new knowledge back to the office and hold a training session for your co-workers.
3. Learn how other companies are working to “Build a Better World” and how you and your company can make a difference. And you’ll bring these ideas back to your organization. From International Development to Green Technologies, there is something for everyone.
4. You’ll get lots of free stuff, a tote bag, 3 meals a day, a cool Nalgene bottle, great giveaways from our sponsors… and you promise you’ll share with your boss.
5. You’ll be inspired by the research and seminars and if you bring back just one valuable idea, the whole trip will be worth it.
6. Over 72% of past attendees surveyed felt that attending Grace Hopper had a positive impact on their career advancement. Maybe your boss should come with you?
7. Networking opportunities galore: the Building a Strategic Network Plan with Jo Miller, breakfasts, affinity group lunches, , breaks between sessions, receptions—every minute you’re not in a session is an ideal opportunity to meet industry experts and plenty of working designers. These folks are great resources for you and your company when you need help with a future project, have a position to fill, or just need someone to bounce ideas off of. Keep those business cards you collect. They will come in handy.
8. Renew your commitment to your technical career. The role models in our keynotes, panels and presentations have been proven to inspire attendees and renew their commitment to their careers. And employee retention is a good thing.
9. Host an “everything I learned at the Grace Hopper Celebration for your officemates when you get home. (All our presenters post their slides on our wikis and our bloggers help fill in the gaps. You can share all of this with your co-workers when you return from the conference)
10. Does your company have an open job position? You could even screen possible hires on-site. If you have a lot of jobs to fill, have your company look at becoming a sponsor and they will get access to our resume database and be able to schedule interviews with the over 600 undergraduate and Ph.D. students attending GHC. There are also panels on successful intern programs and recruitment advice.
11. With multiple panels and workshop sessions, Birds of a Feather Sessions, the Banquet, Networking and Resume workshops and 3 meals a day – GHC is a bargain. It’s content you won’t find anywhere else.

Want more ammo? Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to help you. Just email info@anitaborg.org. And if you have other great ideas on how to convince your boss to let you come to Grace Hopper send them to us at info@anitaborg.org and we’ll include them in our July newsletter.