In a world that’s constantly evolving, diversity and inclusivity in tech are becoming increasingly more important in our world. The 2023 CMD-IT/ACM Richard Tapia Celebration, held in Dallas Texas from September 13th to September 15th, is a gathering focused on celebrating diversity in computing.
This event provides students, faculty, and other academic and non-academic professionals from various backgrounds within the computing field the opportunity to interact and network with each other, with a particular focus on furthering the concept of diversity in tech. This year, Tapia was extra special, because ITP was able to sponsor nine ITP minor students so that they can take part in this awesome event, and so they can represent USC, Viterbi, and ITP!
6 of the 9 ITP students that attended the 2023 Tapia conference stopped by ITP's Exhibition booth before the end of the day.
Our sponsorship of nine students to attend the 2023 Richard Tapia Celebration was part of our persistent investment into the future of computing. While attending the event, ITP students were able to take advantage of the several integrated focus points as a part of this year's Tapia conference:
Networking Opportunities: Tapia is a melting pot of industry professionals, academics, and peers from diverse backgrounds. Our sponsored students had the chance to connect with potential mentors, future collaborators, and friends who can support them throughout their academic and professional journeys.
Inspiring Keynote Speakers: The event featured prominent speakers who shared their personal stories, insights, and experiences in the tech industry, to inspire and motivate students to pursue their passions and overcome obstacles they may encounter.
Technical Knowledge: Attendees had access to technical sessions and workshops that covered a wide range of topics, from Artificial Intelligence and Data Science to Cybersecurity and Software Engineering. These sessions provided valuable technical knowledge and skills that can enhance the students’ academic and professional profiles.
Career Development: In addition to the above, the Richard Tapia Celebration is a hub for career opportunities. Students had the chance to interact with potential employers, learn about internship and job openings, and receive guidance on how to navigate the tech job market.
Community Building: The celebration fosters a sense of belonging and community among underrepresented groups in computing. ITP students had the opportunity to engage with peers who share their experiences and challenges, creating a support network that can last a lifetime.
Diversity Advocacy: Students gained insights into the importance of diversity and inclusion in technology. We hope that the ITP students that attended this year can now serve as advocates for these principles within their academic and professional circles, helping to create more inclusive environments for all.
Gotta have BBQ when you're in Texas! ITP faculty, staff, and students getting together for dinner during downtime.
"It was great networking and learning about these different institutions/companies and
what they have to offer. Personally, for me, they provided insight into what a career in
tech looks like and cleared up a bunch of questions I had!"
"I have been to conferences before, but this one has probably been the most successful and meaningful to me. Not only was I able to secure an interview with one of my top companies, it gave me boosted confidence despite being underrepresented in the field and in the conference itself"
"The event itself blew my expectations out of the water and had a profound influence on
the trajectory of my academic and professional plans. Tapia definitely achieved their goal of
creating a space where we could discuss inclusivity and diversity within the tech industry."
In a nutshell, ITP’s support for these nine students at the 2023 Richard Tapia Celebration was an absolute blast. ITP will continue to invest in scholarships like this moving forward. It wasn’t just about providing this opportunity for our students; it was about contributing to the goal of making the tech world a more diverse and inclusive place. As these students continue their journeys, you can bet they’ll pay it forward, making tech a better place for everyone. We are excited to learn about more conferences and events, so that we can sponsor ITP students to learn, explore, and get connected!
If you are aware of any events/conferences that ITP should look into, please let us know by sending us an email at itpadvising@usc.edu.
Opening ceremony/welcome event for the 2023 Tapia Conference
Plenty of delicious meals were served at tapia this year! This was the first lunch served.