The Journey…Diversity Recruiting Karen Wilkins-Mickey, Diversity Staffing Program Manager, Microsoft Entertainment Devices Division Women in Gaming UK- April 2007

The Journey Begins… Karen Wilkins-Mickey born and raised in NYC married to Korey Mickey. Mom to Kyra and Kaden. Recently moved from California to Redmond in November 2006. Joined Microsoft on March 28 , 2005

Karen Wilkins-Mickey born and raised in NYC married to Korey Mickey. Mom to Kyra and Kaden. Recently moved from California to Redmond in November 2006. Joined Microsoft on March 28 , 2005

The Face of Gaming Male = 88.5% Female = 11.5% More than 60% of studios claim that obtaining diverse applicants is challenging (U.S data)

Male = 88.5%

Female = 11.5%

More than 60% of studios claim that obtaining diverse applicants is challenging

(U.S data)

The Journey is about.. Accessibility - Networking Accountability – Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce Financial Responsibility –A diverse workforce makes business sense

Accessibility - Networking

Accountability – Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce

Financial Responsibility –A diverse workforce makes business sense

Accessibility &The Power of Networking Your network is dynamic and ever-changing Network + You = Formula for Success “ She’ll tell two friends” networking system

Your network is dynamic and ever-changing

Network + You = Formula for Success

“ She’ll tell two friends” networking system

“ and she’ll tell two friends”

“ and they’ll tell two friends…”

“ and so on,”

“ and so on ,”

“ and so on,”

Top 10 Networking Tips Don’t be hesitant to talk to strangers. Assume the other person is as hesitant as you are. Take notes and follow up upon return to the office. Don’t network just to network- have a purpose Build it before you need it- think ahead Always ask- don’t shy away from asking for what you what. Don’t have network Bias- the tendency to associate, interact and be comfortable with folks in the same skill set Be respectful- don’t just ask for things you need as the only way to stay in touch Don’t ping too much Don’t keep score- be willing to connect people Don’t take names just to fill up your contact list

Don’t be hesitant to talk to strangers. Assume the other person is as hesitant as you are.

Take notes and follow up upon return to the office.

Don’t network just to network- have a purpose

Build it before you need it- think ahead

Always ask- don’t shy away from asking for what you what.

Don’t have network Bias- the tendency to associate, interact and be comfortable with folks in the same skill set

Be respectful- don’t just ask for things you need as the only way to stay in touch

Don’t ping too much

Don’t keep score- be willing to connect people

Don’t take names just to fill up your contact list

Accountability- Recruiting The pool is small and we all want the SAME people Leverage game conferences to talk to women gamers Strong corporate image – culture and environment Organization and community involvement Referrals! Referrals! Referrals! Retain and develop diverse talent

The pool is small and we all want the SAME people

Leverage game conferences to talk to women gamers

Strong corporate image – culture and environment

Organization and community involvement

Referrals! Referrals! Referrals!

Retain and develop diverse talent

Financial Responsibility Building a diverse workforce is a strategy that makes good business sense Companies can not view diversity as just another program or initiative-it has to be a way of life

Building a diverse workforce is a strategy that makes good business sense

Companies can not view diversity as just another program or initiative-it has to be a way of life

The Good News… Fortune Magazine named100 most influential Women in gaming (7 MS women made that list) Women are filling more jobs in the games industry: Female artists, scriptwriters and game designers Marketing and PR are the top jobs of interest A handful of programmers

Fortune Magazine named100 most influential Women in gaming (7 MS women made that list)

Women are filling more jobs in the games industry:

Female artists, scriptwriters and game designers

Marketing and PR are the top jobs of interest

A handful of programmers

The not so good news… More than 60% of the studios claim that obtaining diverse applicants is challenging Still a low percentage of women entering into computer science coursework We have a long way to go but we are getting there…..

More than 60% of the studios claim that obtaining diverse applicants is challenging

Still a low percentage of women entering into computer science coursework

We have a long way to go but we are getting there…..

A BIG THANK YOU! Q & A

Q & A