Comments on: Some random thoughts, notes, etc. from the MySQL Conference & Expo 2007 http://www.bytebot.net/blog/archives/2007/05/23/some-random-thoughts-notes-etc-from-the-mysql-conference-expo-2007 A permanent record for what's interesting today - this is my live journal Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:35:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Sheeri Kritzer » Blog Archive » How Much of a MySQL Geek Am I? - The MySQL She-BA http://www.bytebot.net/blog/archives/2007/05/23/some-random-thoughts-notes-etc-from-the-mysql-conference-expo-2007/comment-page-1#comment-128265 Sheeri Kritzer » Blog Archive » How Much of a MySQL Geek Am I? - The MySQL She-BA Thu, 31 May 2007 04:14:46 +0000 http://www.bytebot.net/blog/archives/2007/05/24/some-random-thoughts-notes-etc-from-the-mysql-conference-expo-2007#comment-128265 [...] So, this is me: Special thanx to Colin Charles for taking the picture and linking to it from his blog. [...] [...] So, this is me: Special thanx to Colin Charles for taking the picture and linking to it from his blog. [...]

]]> By: Sheeri http://www.bytebot.net/blog/archives/2007/05/23/some-random-thoughts-notes-etc-from-the-mysql-conference-expo-2007/comment-page-1#comment-128115 Sheeri Thu, 24 May 2007 12:00:06 +0000 http://www.bytebot.net/blog/archives/2007/05/24/some-random-thoughts-notes-etc-from-the-mysql-conference-expo-2007#comment-128115 Hrm...I'm certainly not opposed to a MySQL-Women group, but the question is why do we need it? If we need it, it's because people have thoughts like "I never thought a pretty girl could be smart too!" That's like saying "I never thought a cute guy could be a good IT professional!" Although maybe I'm blessed, because I'm just so naturally beautiful. Maybe other women have to spend all their free time primping and getting "beauty sleep", and I just happen to luck out so I have free time to spend on learning and using MySQL. Or maybe looks and skill are not inversely proportional, regardless of gender. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's great that people are overcoming their stereotypes. But I'm not an activist for women in the IT profession. I'm in the IT profession, I like to think I'm good, and hey, I happen to be born a woman. It's not like I overcame a great obstacle or whatever. I've worked with one guy who was a chauvenist, but that's about it. Then again, how many other people say "I'm not going to wear that, it's too pretty for a job interview" and make sure to wear their glasses, because glasses = nerdier = the perception of smarter? I do this, although I likely don't need to any more..... Hrm…I’m certainly not opposed to a MySQL-Women group, but the question is why do we need it? If we need it, it’s because people have thoughts like “I never thought a pretty girl could be smart too!”

That’s like saying “I never thought a cute guy could be a good IT professional!” Although maybe I’m blessed, because I’m just so naturally beautiful. Maybe other women have to spend all their free time primping and getting “beauty sleep”, and I just happen to luck out so I have free time to spend on learning and using MySQL.

Or maybe looks and skill are not inversely proportional, regardless of gender.

I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s great that people are overcoming their stereotypes. But I’m not an activist for women in the IT profession. I’m in the IT profession, I like to think I’m good, and hey, I happen to be born a woman. It’s not like I overcame a great obstacle or whatever. I’ve worked with one guy who was a chauvenist, but that’s about it.

Then again, how many other people say “I’m not going to wear that, it’s too pretty for a job interview” and make sure to wear their glasses, because glasses = nerdier = the perception of smarter? I do this, although I likely don’t need to any more…..

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