Frequently Asked Questions About WICS Committees

2023 – 2024 Committee

General Questions

What are coffee chats like?

They are 15-minute casual “interviews”. Some questions include what your hobbies, why are you interested in WICS Committee and other questions based on your application. Coffee chats help us understand who you are. Chair(s) of the committee that you’ve been selected to interview for will chat with you. Just be yourself!

How many people are you looking for in each committee?

We are not announcing the numbers, instead, we urge you to apply to the committee that you feel most passionate about! Don’t apply to a committee because it has more spots available! Since we have preferences, if you have a strong application/interview you will be able to join a committee outside of your first choice.

Are we able to apply to multiple committees?

Yes. On our application form, we have first preference, second preference, and third preference. Your deliverable will just be for the first preference. No need to make deliverables for second/third preference. When spring rolls around, you have the opportunity to switch committees for the next school year, so you have the chance to experience other committees.

Is it okay to miss committee meetings and general meetings if you have conflicts?

We understand that everyone has their schedules, and there will be accommodations if you can’t attend the meetings. In general, you would let the secretary know, and we will make sure to get notes and support. At the beginning of every quarter, we will schedule our committee meetings at times that work best for most people’s calendars.

Internal Affairs

*Answered by Kristen Yee

What are examples of the ways different committees collaborate with each other?

Internal interacts with Marketing and External, as well as getting help from other committees. There are always ways to help on other committees with various tasks, and we’re open to requesting help from others!

What was your favorite event that you either planned or attended?

Favorite event planned: Event collab with Video game design club where you got to bring ICS perspectives into mad libs and try something new. Was able to participate in it and plan it as well. Had a great time.

What is your favorite part of being on WICS committee? What do you value most?

After joining WICS, Kristen found a community in many of her classes. She was able to go into class and realize that there were girls she already knew. She met most of her friends through the supportive and kind community here.

What would you say is the most important skill you would have to develop in each of the committees?

Public speaking and planning/organization are skills you really develop in Internal. You learn to develop adaptability and grow yourself in your committee. Even if you don’t come on to the committee with the skill, you will get many chances to practice and lots of support.

What drew you to the specific committee you are on when you were applying?

Wants to give back to the mentorship program, really enjoys planning all the events, and loves the community aspect.

External Affairs

*Answered by Kara Statham

What are examples of the ways different committees collaborate with each other?

Since external affairs is in charge of planning half of general events, they try to shuffle it as best as possible to split up the workload with internal affairs. They also work with marketing such as sending the blurb, connecting with company reps, etc.

What was your favorite event that you either planned or attended?

My favorite event was the mentorship mixer. Going to a mixer was an easy way to get to know people. Great just talking to people, seeing new and old faces. Mock technical interviews are also super fun to plan, involves reaching out to a lot of company reps and getting a lot of people involved. Full committee thing and everyone is able to help. Very big learning experience figuring out how to send professional emails and being this link between a corporate liaison and WICS.

What is your favorite part of being on WICS committee? What do you value most?

You are engulfed into a family and someone is always in one of your classes. You always have someone to vent to about homework and professors too.

What would you say is the most important skill you would have to develop in each of the committees?

Not exactly a skill but a willingness to try something new. Being able to put yourself out there and external will always be there to support you.

What drew you to the specific committee you are on when you were applying?

Thought it was a good opportunity to get to learn networking skills through external.

Marketing

*Answered by Shalini Bhakta

What are examples of the ways different committees collaborate with each other?

Lots of collaboration with all the other committees. Marketing is the bridge of communication from all the committees to our audience. We reach out to all the committee members to create social media content. Furthermore, marketing has amazing feedback on the general events, since we can judge the planning from an outside perspective.

What was your favorite event that you either planned or attended?

With marketing, they don’t really get to do collaboration events. One of the favorite things they started last year was starting to do TikToks and collaborating with other clubs on social media. It’s a chance to be creative and connect with other clubs. Crepe boothing is also a fun bonding experience!

What is your favorite part of being on WICS committee? What do you value most?

Always has a community that supports you in classes. Really love the community and throughout committees there’s a lot of opportunities to get to know other girls with different passions and majors. Everyone is super nice.

What would you say is the most important skill you would have to develop in each of the committees?

Creativity! Even if you don’t come with creative ideas, just be open to new things. Be ready to be adaptive and have the opportunity to transform WICS’s presence on campus. Everything is collaborative and ideas are put into play.

What drew you to the specific committee you are on when you were applying?

WICS put a lot of effort into making a place for themselves on social media platforms. From Facebook to Instagram to Tiktok, WICS is always actively growing and staying true to it’s cute aesthetic.

Community Outreach

*Answered by Sarah Tan

What are examples of the ways different committees collaborate with each other?

Outreach is not as involved with general meetings. They collaborate with marketing a lot since they need helpers for events (people with experience teaching, etc), and getting word out about the events. They also collaborate with the graphic designers.

What was your favorite event that you either planned or attended?

WICS x Game Dev Club: a relaxed and creative event where everyone got to talk and bond over their game ideas. First Outreach event teaching HTML to younger students: Even though I was worried that my knowledge wasn’t enough, I got to support students in creating amazing projects. No one called me out, everyone supported me in turn as we taught the students. Also bonded with them over common interests (TXT)!

What is your favorite part of being on WICS committee? What do you value most?

Found opportunities to bond with other female students in more personal ways than just class. Met others through the retreat and has developed close friendships.

What would you say is the most important skill you would have to develop in each of the committees?

Communication whether you are working with logistics or teaching the content, you want to be able to communicate with the kids in a way they want to listen and want to learn. Be able to provide a positive environment for the girls so they can have a new experience and have something to look back on.

What drew you to the specific committee you are on when you were applying?

Was a stem counselor at a camp previously and wanted to continue supporting younger students in their CS interests. Outreach gives you the opportunity to help younger girls learn the incredible things that computers can do. Especially for those without the resources to learn about computer science and tech, being able to spark their passion is so rewarding.