EMPOWERING WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY: SheTek, focused on increasing the representation of women in the technology industry, will officially launch its New Jersey operations today at Merrill Lynch on Roszel Road. Pictured above are SheTek CEO Chaya Pamula (front row center), CSO Joanna Black (second from right), and their SheTek and Pamten team and advisory board members. (Photo courtesy of SheTek)

By Donald Gilpin

Looking to cultivate a national pipeline of women in technology, SheTek will officially launch its New Jersey operations today with a clinic on the cybersecurity industry followed by an opening event at Merrill Lynch’s 7 Roszel Road offices.

“Women do not get enough exposure to technology,” said SheTek CEO Chaya Pamula. “Only 25 percent of tech positions are held by women. I have a passion to help women succeed, to empower women.”

An initiative of Pamten Inc., a certified minority- and woman-owned business based in Princeton, SheTek focuses on increasing the representation of women in technology “from education in the classroom to decisions made in the boardroom,” according to the SheTek mission statement.

Speakers at the launch event will include Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of The New Jersey Business & Industry Association, as well as Joanna Black, chief strategy officer of SheTek, and Pamula, who is also CEO of PamTen and founder of SOFKIN, a nonprofit organization supporting underprivileged children in India. 

The afternoon clinic for women interested in a career in cybersecurity or learning more about how to protect their personal or business online identity will include information about cybersecurity, career options in the industry, job training, and obtaining certification. 

The cybersecurity industry is currently experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals, with an estimated 1.5 million cybersecurity jobs opening up in 2019, according to Pamula. “The need is growing,” she said. “Most women like to work in meaningful, impactful positions, and the cybersecurity field could resonate well with them. This area could also help to fill the gender gap in the tech industry.”

Pamula also noted that much of the work in cybersecurity can be handled remotely to accommodate women who have multiple priorities. SheTek will follow up today’s session with a program in New York City next month, and a training program in March, which will provide a pathway to certification in the cybersecurity field. 

Black mentioned that SheTek also consults with companies to develop strategies to empower women and will help companies create programs to develop talent.

Pamula added that SheTek also provides staffing services, as well as training and job experience, helping women to find jobs in the corporate and government spheres. 

Focus areas for SheTek include sparking early interest in technology for girls and mentoring them through the transition into college and into the work force; consulting with companies on hiring women to fill more roles in technology; training and coaching women within companies to help advance their careers in tech; pairing women with companies who need technology services and staff; supporting women-owned start-ups; educating women business owners on how to use technology in their day-to-day business operations; connecting and supporting women through the online SheTek community networking platform; mentoring and counseling women and girls to help them build skills that will advance their careers; and partnering with a variety of organizations to advance women in technology. 

SheTek will be teaming up with with Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart this spring to assist them with their “Lead Like a Girl” conference, and the organization looks forward to future opportunities to work with girls at the middle school level in schools and possibly summer camps. 

Pamula, with a background of more than 25 years in technology, recalls that, after growing up in India, she graduated from college without a background in technology. “I was curious to learn about computers,” she said. “I didn’t get much advice. The industry is male-dominated, and as I was starting my company I realized I was getting many more resumes from men than women. We created SheTek to give back to children and women.”

For more information on SheTek and today’s workshop and launch event, visit  www.shetek.net.