At the King-Morgridge (KM) Scholars Program, we are proud to feature Guech Houth, a first-year student from Cambodia majoring in Computer Science and Economics at UW-Madison. She recently attended the prestigious WECode conference at Harvard. Her experience highlights the power of community and mentorship in STEM. Here is her story in her own words:
My name is Guech, and I am from Takeo province, Cambodia. In late February, I had a great opportunity to attend the WECode: Women Engineers Code Conference at Harvard. WECode is the largest student-run women in tech conference in the world. This conference offers incredible opportunities for attendees to hear from ground-breaking professionals who are women and non-binary in tech, as well asthe chance to connect to others like-minded individuals who are equally passionate about STEM. This year, there were more than 800 participants from universities across the U.S.
As a freshman, I am eager to explore the many facets of the tech industry and connect with other minorities in STEM. When I first heard about WECode, I knew that I had to be part of it. The conference not only fosters inclusivity but also empowered me to navigate my journey in this field with greater confidence. Some of the event’s key highlights included the Keynote Speakers, Panel Discussions, Technical Workshops, and Community Building and Networking.
The conference immersed me in various areas of technology and Computer Science and provided me valuable insights into my areas of interest. One of the highlights of the first day was attending the “Data Analytics and Modeling for Practical Applications and Career Questions” session led by Margaret Chiosi, who was a former director at AT&T. With so many concurrent workshops, I was particularly excited to participate in these sessions as they aligned closely with my curiosity about leveraging data to solve real world issues. This is an area that I aspire to contribute in the future with my Computer Science and Economics analytic skills.
As someone who just started to explore career opportunities coupled with the competitive nature of the current tech market, I often find the idea of applying to opportunities like internship daunting. WECode offered technical workshops and mentorship circles for us to ask questions on how to navigate this process from experts with many years of experience in tech. They provided me with a structured approach, practical tips and strategies when job and internship huntings. During the mentorship circle, I also got to talk about the ethics of AI, which is very fascinating and relevant given the prevalent use of AI across different industries.
One of the most unexpected yet incredible benefits of the conference was the opportunity to hear from inspiring women leaders in the tech industry. Ellen Pao, former CEO of Reddit and co-founder of Project Include, shared her advocacy for building diversity and strategies for overcoming biases in the workplace. Claire Williams, former deputy team principal of the Williams Formula One racing team, spoke about her journey leading in a male-dominated industry. Their resilience, leadership, and commitment to change deeply resonated with me. Hearing the challenges and triumphs they faced reinforced my belief in my own capabilities and strengthened my determination to create inclusive spaces where everyone is valued and empowered to succeed through hard work and collaboration.
WECode was the first tech conference I ever attended, and going into it, I felt slightly nervous, unsure of what to expect. However, the experience pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraging me to connect with others in unfamiliar situations, which was an accomplishment I am truly proud of! I had the opportunity to expand my network and build friendships with fellow university students who share similar aspirations.
I am grateful to the KM Scholars Program team for making this experience possible and to the WECode team for organizing such an inspiring event. I left feeling more empowered than ever to pursue my goals and navigate my journey in the tech industry. I highly encourage other women to participate in events like this to explore the field, gain valuable insights, and connect with amazing individuals.