Creating Connections: Embracing change.
It's getting to be that time of year when I am ready for change. Winter into spring, flowers starting to push through, longer days. My favorite time of year. I love the celebrations that happen now as well. It's exciting that we are coming upon International Women's Day and Women's History Month. We are bringing some changes here to Creating Connections as well. We are expanding our focus a bit to be more inclusive. You may have noticed the title. We are moving from Women in Cybersecurity toward embracing more women with Women in STEM. To that end, I welcome your thoughts and ideas and I welcome a larger audience encompassing a wider circle of women that we can create connections with. Please join us as we become Women in STEM. Cheers to this metamorphosis and the change around us!
Creating Connections: Exciting beginnings.
Welcome to our first issue of Creating Connections for 2024. This is the 5th calendar year that we are publishing this newsletter. We started the newsletter during the pandemic in 2020 when we were all in lockdown as a way to stay connected knowing many of us were feeling isolated. So much has happened since that first issue. We've returned to a level of "normalcy" - some returning to our offices, attending conferences in person, and even meeting colleagues for networking events face to face. The changes that occured in the past five years allowed us new ways of connecting, and for that I find myself thankful. I'm taking that gratitude into 2024 where I feel like my remote working life (that I had before the pandemic) is normal, and thanks to the pandemic, I am able to connect on new levels virtually with colleagues, friends, and the world at large.
Creating Connections: Looking back to look ahead.
Are you one who plans all the things out at the head of each year and then, when you reach this point, do you take stock and make sure you accomplished x% of your list? That was how I approached things, however I feel like I've changed that up and now celebrate achievements while still focusing on ways to improve in future. As such, I know that I have a lot of space to improve for 2024 in the women in cybersecurity realm. I'd love to have more contributions from our audience in 2024. Please let me know if you'd like to share your work be it through a written piece showcasing your research or a passion of yours in cybersecurity, Also always looking for interesting guests for our shows if you'd like to join us on one of the podcasts. I'm open to suggestions.
Creating Connections: Breaking through.
Well, it's been a minute. We've been in a bit of flux here and now we are back up and moving with Creating Connections. I hope you all have continued your support of the contributions women bring to the cybersecurity industry and each other. We were sad not to hold our annual women in cybersecurity event in October, and hope that you will join us later this week for an exciting new development by N2K Networks. On Thursday, November 9th at 2pm EST, our team is sharing a panel discussion: "Breaking Through: Securing the advancement of women in cybersecurity."
Creating Connections: Stop and look around.
When we reach this point in the year, I like to take stock, see where I've been, what I've accomplished, and plan what is to come. 2023 is playing like a movie in my mind with some things seeming so recent, others far away. In the words of Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Personally and professionally, life has been moving pretty fast. We've attended a college graduation for our older daughter and since moved her to start her new life pursuing her PhD in chemistry a mere 12-hour drive from home. Happily, our younger daughter is home from college with us this summer. Who knows what the future holds for them?