Group focuses on women in instrumentation

The Fieldbus Center at Lee College will host a meeting of the Nexus of Instrumentation Women on Thursday, 14th September 2006 in Baytown, Texas.

The Fieldbus Center at Lee College will host a meeting of the Nexus of Instrumentation Women (NIW) on Thursday, 14th September 2006, at the Bayer Conference Center, Lee College, Baytown, Texas.

"Instrumentation Technician" will be the featured profession as topic of discussion.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for women involved in the instrumentation industry to discuss their daily work life and share common insights and experiences.

Composed of current students and alumni of Lee College, the Nexus of Instrumentation Women was formed with the expressed goal of increasing the presence of women in the instrumentation workforce.

As a National Science Foundation (NSF) initiative, the group provides mentoring opportunities between women studying in the instrumentation field and those professionally employed within it.

A successful inaugural meeting was held on 22nd June 2006, where those present identified initial action items for the group, which include: establish a career mentoring programme for women, identify the importance of career goals, provide a forum for discussion of workplace issues, increase awareness of possible career directions, promote useful organisations, and share information regarding employment opportunities.

Nexus of Instrumentation Women was conceived by Fieldbus Center staff members Marsha Swimmer and Jessica Schrock, in collaboration with Lee College instrumentation faculty member Richard Tunstall.

Mary Cannon, of Tyco Controls and an Instrumentation Systems and Automation Society (ISA) officer, volunteered her time and expertise in the creation of the group.

An upcoming activity of NIW will be participation in Young Automation Professional (YAP) Fest, to be held during ISA Expo 2006, from 17th to 19th October 2006, in Houston, Texas.

Plans for YAP Fest will be finalised during the 14th September meeting.

All instrumentation industry newcomers, students and professionals are invited to attend.

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