The Status of Women in the States report documents the economic success of women across the US. According to this report, white and Asian women are the most likely to earn post-secondary degrees. In addition to this, black women and Hispanic women are 2x as likely, and Native American women are almost 3x as likely to live in poverty. Regardless of race, homes headed by single mothers with children are the most likely to live in poverty. According to MIT, a liveable wage for Arizona is $40.08/hr or about $83,000 for an adult with one child. It also lists the typical annual salary for computer and mathematical professions as $98,000. Empowering women in IT is the next step to changing the lives of many.
Barriers and the Underrepresentation of Women in IT
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in computer science and IT will grow faster than the average for all occupations. Women’s representation in computer science-related fields has declined over the past several decades. In the 1980s, the percentage of women earning degrees in computer science peaked at 37% and dropped to 17% by the mid-2000s. Since then, it has been hovering at 20%. The National Girls Collaborative Project reports that women comprise only 28% of the workforce in science and engineering.
That said, women account for less than 15% of IT professionals. The gap between the number of interested women in IT and those who pursue careers in IT continues to grow. Empowering women and girls to pursue IT fields has been a big push for many governments and social agencies. But we aren’t always addressing the factors that discourage women from pursuing fields in IT. Empowering more women in IT can elevate children out of poverty. Before we can truly do that, we must explore why this gap exists as it is crucial for creating a more inclusive and diverse technology sector. As a woman in IT, I’ve noticed several key factors that often discourage us from entering this field, and I’m not the only one.
Here are some of the barriers that women in IT face that can discourage them from pursuing or remaining in the IT professions.
Stereotypes and Social Conditioning
From a young age, girls often receive subtle messages about what is and isn’t appropriate for their gender. When I reflect on my interests back then, most people considered math and science “boy” things. Although I excelled in both subjects, people encouraged me to take an interest in cooking, baking, English, and the Humanities. Societal norms, media portrayals, and sometimes educational practices perpetuate the stereotypes about “male” and “female” professions. These stereotypes make many women in IT feel that they do not belong in tech-related fields because of depictions of a male-dominated environment. Overcoming these stereotypes is crucial, as they shape perceptions about the suitability and accessibility of careers in technology.
Lack of Role Models
I have struggled to connect with more women in IT, especially women of color. I work with educational data; so I connect with many women in my work, but not women who work in my field. The underrepresentation of women in tech roles leads to a scarcity of role models for aspiring young female professionals. When you are doing something that is not traditional, this can feel very overwhelming for younger professionals.
Without visible role models, women may struggle to envision a successful career path in IT. This lack of representation can also contribute to feelings of isolation and the misleading perception that IT is not a welcoming field for women. Empowering women through building more networking and mentoring opportunties can help younger professionals remain in the field longer as well as build leadership capacity internally.
Educational Barriers for Women
Educational pathways play a critical role in career choices. Disparities in encouragement and opportunities for young girls to engage in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education can deter their interest early on. If K-12 educational institutions cannot provide an inclusive and supportive environment for girls to explore and excel in technology, initial interests in STEM starts to atrophy like an unused muscle. This can lead to a lack of diversity in ideas in the STEM and IT professions. Empowering women leads to having more people with different perspectives and expands the possible solutions organizations have to solve the problems of today.
Fear of Bias and Workplace Culture
The tech industry’s reputation for having a competitive, sometimes exclusionary, work environment can be intimidating. Often, women in IT feel like they have to choose between what they want and their job. This leads them to feel like their employers do not value their contributions and that their input will be overlooked. Stories of gender bias, unequal growth opportunities, and pay disparity are not uncommon. Women as a whole make 2/3 of the salary that men do. Such a workplace culture can deter women from stepping into the field, fearing that they will have to continually prove their worth or face marginalization. No one wants to work twice as hard only to get half as far.
Work-Life Balance Concerns
The demanding nature of tech jobs, often characterized by long hours and high pressure, can be a significant deterrent, especially for women who want to balance careers with personal and family life. The perceived lack of flexibility in tech roles can make these careers less attractive to women who value work-life balance. Although due to COVID-19, many IT professionals have been able to secure work-from-home positions which can help, this can feel like double duty for some. The expectations to be committed to the organization can feel like it’s in direct opposition to personal needs and desires.
So how do we fix this? How do we support empowering women to be successful in the IT industry? Truth is, it’s not a simple fix. It’s not going to be easy by any means. In addition to addressing the barriers that have discouraged women in IT, we must take steps forward to foster diverse inclusive environments. Moreover, this will require intentional concerted efforts for empowering women at different levels from a variety of stakeholders.
Strategies for Empowering Women
Empower Women with Educational Reform
Schools and universities should foster an inclusive atmosphere that encourages girls to pursue technology-related subjects. From early childhood, this includes providing female students with mentors and role models. Some programs are doing this work to be able to encourage women in IT. Check out Girls Who Code.
Cultural Change in Workplaces
Companies must intentionally work towards creating an inclusive culture that actively combats gender bias, promotes diversity, and supports women through mentorship and development programs. In their strategic planning process, they should include active strategies to reduce biases as well as increase their corporate diversity.
Connect Newcomers with Role Models
For many women, being able to find others who they can build a connection with is vital to their long-term success in their careers. Check out Women in Big Data. Building a network of connections is key to support in any industry. The visibility of these types of organizations will lead to less turnover for disadvantaged populations, especially women in IT.
Support for Work-Life Balance
Implementing flexible working conditions and supportive policies that help women manage their personal and professional lives effectively. Historically, this is something that many industries have struggled with. By intentionally framing the narrative to support a healthy work-life balance, we move toward a healthier future.
In summary, encouraging more women to enter IT is not just about increasing numbers; it’s about enriching the field with diverse perspectives and driving innovation. Consequently, by understanding and addressing the reasons why women are deterred from these careers, we can close the gap between interest and participation, creating a more equitable and dynamic IT landscape.
At Ex.C.E.L. Learning Corporation, we believe in supporting more women in IT by not only entering the field but also helping them to be successful in making a difference. We want to build opportunities for leadership for more women in IT. This is what led us to create, The Girl Code. For more information or to apply, Click Here.