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Over the years, women have been encouraged to pursue technology. But today, there’s still a wide gap between men and women in tech. Even though women make up about 47% of the U.S. workforce, only 26.7% have jobs in the tech industry. According to Fortune, women run 8.8% of businesses on the Fortune 500 list in 2022.
Even though many women in tech have done great things, they are often forgotten. Take the case of Angelica Ross. She is a transgender woman who started TransTech Social Entreprises, an organization that helps people who don’t fit the norms of their gender get jobs in technical fields. What about Susan Kare? She is in charge of some of Apple’s most recognizable graphics. Everyone talks about how important women are in tech.
When applying to college, fewer women choose careers in technology. Women are less likely than men to work in tech jobs after they graduate. But there’s no reason why women shouldn’t work in technology. To keep growing, the tech industry needs people of all genders to work in it.
Let’s talk about why and how women can work in technology.
Problems that women face in tech
The tech industry can be biased, just like other fields. Women have fewer chances to work in tech than men do. In the past, tech was mostly a field for men, so only a few women made it to the top. Because of this, women may not want to go into technology.
Also, some women may have to take care of their families, which makes it harder for them to get and keep tech jobs. But things are changing, and more women are getting ahead in tech. The number of women in tech is slowly but steadily growing. As long as this growth keeps going, more and more women will soon be working in tech. But why is it so important?
Why diversity is important in tech
According to studies, diversity is good for business. Innovation is likely to go faster when there are people of different genders, races, and ages on a team. Each group can help come up with more ideas about how to solve problems that certain groups of people face.
1. Improves the flow of events
Studies show that having people of different genders in a business can be beneficial. A global survey of 22,000 businesses was conducted. The results showed that companies with 30% women in charge had a 6% net profit margin. Profits went up because people with different skills and less bias against women worked together. With more women at the top, companies were less likely to have hiring policies that were unfair to women. So, during the hiring process, skills were given more weight than gender. Because of this, these companies hired better workers.
2. Assists a growing industry in finding workers
Tech is one of the industries with the fastest growth in the world. So it needs more people to work in order to grow. Almost half of the people who work are women. If they aren’t allowed to work in this industry, they might not get the important people it needs to grow.
3. It helps make sure products are balanced.
Having more women in tech can help more tech products for women grow. Men in tech are less likely to make things that have nothing to do with them. But women who know how to use technology can help make it fairer.
How to bring more women into technology
Women are just as good as men at using technology. It’s not because they’re not interested that women don’t go into tech-related jobs. It’s a culture that doesn’t support them and undervalues what they can do. So, a good way to get more women into technology is to make homes, schools, and workplaces more welcoming.
1. Stay away from unconscious biases.
Most kids who use computers will probably be interested in learning more about them. Since boys spend more time on computers than girls, they are more likely to want to work in tech. So giving girls the same access to computer systems as boys can help them develop an interest and go into the field.
Parents can sometimes be biased without even realizing it. For example, a parent can send their son to a summer camp where he can learn how to code. But the same parent sends their daughter to a different summer camp. These girls might feel scared in a computer class with a lot of young boys who are learning to code. So, parents should be careful not to be unfair to their daughters without meaning to.
Encourage the younger girls you know to learn more about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects and find ways to help them learn. By actively suggesting learning resources, you help them get professional skills at a young age. The better it is for girls, the earlier they start.
2. Create a supportive culture.
Organizations should make job descriptions that don’t mention men or women to get more women to apply. Also, companies that hire people need to encourage women to work by giving them the same pay as their male colleagues. Women should be on hiring boards to avoid bias based on gender during the hiring process.
Also, the policies for hiring should make sure that there is no bias based on gender. Companies should have cultures that make women feel welcome and not left out.
If top tech companies give women a fair share of senior positions, this could help younger women who want to work in tech.
Encourage the companies you work for to use practices that are open to everyone. Change starts with speaking up, so don’t be afraid to say something when you think things could be different. When everyone works together to make the workplace a better place, change is more likely to happen.
3. Provide financial support.
Some groups, like AnitaB.org, help women who work in technology. A number of other groups also want to help more women get into the tech field. The way they do this is by giving money. With this kind of help, women entrepreneurs can start businesses in technology.
4. Put education first in tech.
Education is the first step toward a career in tech. If you want to work in tech, it’s best to study subjects in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Keep in mind that many women have made it in the tech field, so you can too.
It’s High Time for Women to Venture into Tech
As time passes, the demand for tech workers keeps on growing. More skilled experts of any gender are needed to supply labor to this field. Diversity in tech helps to look at problems holistically and provide effective solutions. Participation of women in tech can help restore balance and speed up innovation.
It’s not too late for women to venture into tech. With the support of experienced trainers, you can start with short computer courses to get you started. If you’re interested in working in a tech position, Ironhack is prepared to provide you with the skills needed.
We offer programming lessons that have high demand in the current market. You can study with us online or on campus, depending on your availability. Join our boot camp training today to help you secure a job in the tech industry.
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