Thought-Provoking Ideas for Increasing Diversity in Entertainment Engineering

With the average age of SMPTE members increasing, we need to attract younger engineers to strengthen our ranks and our future. By widening our search to fully include women and minorities, we can maximize the opportunity to attract top engineers, while broadening the demographics, perspectives and capabilities of our industry. — This paper is a compilation of essays by women engineers in the entertainment industry including 3 women of color, with observations, ideas and recommendations on how to increase and sustain diversity. — The essays include: • “Start Early through Partnerships with High Schools and Universities”, by Andrea Berry • “Increase Gender and Ethnic Diversity with Internships”, by Marilyn Pierce • “Take a Risk — Give Opportunities to Young Women and Minorities”, by Renu Thomas • “Women in Technology — More than a Pretty Face”, by Jennifer Zeidan • “Colleagues Are Colleagues, No Matter Their Demographic”, by Kellie McKeown • “How to Create Demographically Blended Engineering Teams”, by Cindy Hutter Cavell • “Mentoring 101”, by Wendy Aylsworth — It is hoped that these suggestions will be widely read, considered and implemented, so the Entertainment Industry can benefit from the talents and energy of all demographics.