“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi. This quote is what Purba Majumder lives by. Purba is the President of Cybervation, Inc., a growing technology services company that provides software development/consulting, application support, and project management and transcription services. Purba is also the founder of a non-profit organization called CoolTechGirls. This organization aims to interest school-aged girls in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Purba came to the United States from India 21 years ago and after completing her Master’s program, she changed her career track to go into the world of computer science. The idea of CoolTechGirls came to Purba when she was trying to encourage her daughter to explore Computer Science and Technology. “She was in the seventh grade, she told me that she didn’t want to be perceived as ‘nerdy’ and be unpopular in school.” Purba then started talking to other parents and found that many teenage girls feel the same way. After looking into different programs, she found that of all of the disciplines in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – computer science attracted the least number of girls. She also found disappointing numbers for girls in IT and related fields. “I wanted to find why girls felt that way and after talking to a few high school girls I realized that not having role models or mentors, lack of internships and job shadowing opportunities were some of the key reasons for those types of perceptions.”
CoolTechGirls is a partnership between the City of Dublin, Dublin Entrepreneurial Center, and Cybervation. Purba has spent a good deal of time communicating with schools, colleges, industry leaders and female role models to spread the word about CoolTechGirls. The program is run entirely by volunteers and has offered free training for girls in grades 4 through 12 from Dublin, Worthington, Olentangy, Hilliard, and New Albany school districts. CoolTechGirls is also partnering with Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland and helping them with their technology-related training needs.
In Purba’s spare time, she is a board member of the non-profit organization See Kids Dream and is also a member of the marketing team for Women for Economic and Leadership Development. “I try to juggle everything (work, family, volunteering). It can be challenging to find work-life balance but when you have the passion for something, you find ways to do it. My husband Indra and two daughters, Ellora and Ishika, have supported me since launching CoolTechGirls, they also volunteer at the events and help out in any way they can.”
Going forward, Purba would like to increase the technology programs throughout Central Ohio. She also hopes to offer project opportunities and on-the-job training for girls. “By inviting successful women as speakers along with career guidance and counseling, we hope to create an environment where middle and high school girls will overcome their technology phobia, welcome it, and embrace the advantages it provides for a successful career.” For more information, visit http://www.cooltechgirls.org/