Executive mentoring

Abstract

Despite a host of efforts to attract and keep women and minorities in computing, they continue to be underrepresented across the several computer science disciplines. A 1990 study sponsored by the American Association of University Women suggests that a major problem in attracting and keeping women and minorities in computer science (and other disciplines) is the lack of role models at all levels, particularly at senior levels. This problem is addressed by investigating ways to provide executive mentoring for women and minorities in computing. An examination is made of how promising mid level women and minorities can be paired with senior computer scientists to enable these underrepresented groups to break through the glass ceiling into senior positions. Rather than examining the mentoring relationship where the protege learns new technical skills, the focus is on mentoring for advancement, where the mentor assists the protege in moving up in the organization more quickly than she might otherwise progress.