Women in Tech – why there aren’t many
On paper IT industry is an ideal place for women to work. The pay is generous, with a lower-than-average gender gap of 12%; it’s easy to work flexible hours or telecommute; and you rarely need specialist qualifications to get started. But despite high-profile campaigns like Girls Who Code, the percentage of women in technology is actually falling. Even progressive Google, with its egg freezing and free coffee, only scrapes a 30% female workforce. The women in tech topic continues unabated.
Why aren’t there more women in tech?
Men tend to dominate STEM subjects at school and in college, but that doesn’t fully explain the shortage of women in tech jobs. After all, there are plenty of women in other STEM professions like accounting. And it’s not necessary to have a degree in computer science in order to work in tech: you can teach yourself to code from YouTube tutorials.
Are tech companies to blame?
Those working to increase the number of women in tech, puts the blame on tech companies themselves. Adverts for tech jobs tend to use strongly gendered wording, using male coded language, emphasising the competitive nature of the work, and most companies aren’t doing much to attract a wider pool of applicants. Research by pressure group The Elephant in the Valley found widespread sexism at all stages of the hiring process. For example, 75% of women working in Silicon Valley were asked about children or marital status in interviews for their current job. Read: How will men respond to illegal interview questions?
It’s not just a pipeline problem. [Tweet “Women in tech have double the attrition rate of men”] – 56% end up leaving the industry mid-career. According to research from the Anita Berg Institute, an organisation trying to get more women into technology, women tend to leave because of lack of progression opportunities or a poor work-life balance. [Tweet “And when less than 10% of CIOs are female, no wonder women don’t feel like they have a future.”] In other industries, women are most likely to change jobs in order to make more money: that doesn’t even make the top 5 reasons for women leaving tech.
Read: #HRTechWorld addresses gender balance in Tech
A diverse workforce is beneficial to any industry, but it’s particularly crucial for the IT industry.
In the early days of home computing, men were the biggest users of the internet; today, women spend almost 20% more time online than men, and they dominate every social networking site except LinkedIn. In gaming, the biggest growth is in cute-looking phone games like FarmVille and Words With Friends, aimed squarely at the sort of women who would never play on an Xbox.
Marketing tech to women
When you’re marketing tech to women, no amount of focus groups and market research will make up for just having women in your workplace. Read: How to attract talented women to your organisation Consider the new breed of huge smartphones, which are great for watching videos but too big for the average woman’s hands. If the phone companies had more women in their development teams, someone would have noticed that.
If your company would like to attract more women contact us now!
Found that interesting?
Learn more about our services
Individual services
Make your dreams a reality with a professional evaluation of your career to date.
Corporate services
The evidence is in. More women in your company can deliver 35% greater financial returns. (Catalyst)
Upcoming events
Book Now
Dates for the Diary
12th January 2021 “Habits to help you work more effectively remotely” Crop Life Europe - Corporate event
28th January 2021 “Licence to hire - Managing Bias in Recruitment” ENGIE - Corporate event
29th January 2021 “Licence to hire - Managing Bias in Recruitment” ENGIE - Corporate event
5th February 2021 “ How to Build your Personal Board“ ENGIE Fifty-Fifty Programme - Corporate event
8th March 2021 IWD "How to create a career and networking strategy for career success” Highquest Partners - Corporate event
We have Remote Learning Programs available
Check out our exciting portfolio of offerings to support your business in upskilling and competence building for your teams, to address the unprecedented challenges that women face in this new totally a digital world.
Download and listen free podcasts
Building Trust at Workplace with Dorothy Dalton
Navigate career uncertainty post Covid19
Share the load – Online Discussion and Coaching Session with Ian Dinwiddy
How to show you are open to work
Things to do to protect yourself when you get fired
10 ways to create a post pandemic career safety net
Facial Movements: Do you Freeze, Flight or Fight?
How to Create an Effective USP
How to Rethink the Modern Workplace for Gender Equality
Menopause in the workplace
How to Cultivate Empathy in the Workplace
The importance of Hard Talk
When Does Female Rivalry Turn into Sabotage
Goal setting tips to boost your career
Sexism: How to stage a Bystander Intervention in the Workplace
How to Get Noticed by Head Hunters & Recruiters
Why all women need a strong LinkedIn profile
Related articles
4 Steps to a Winning Mindset
Tips for developing a winning mindset Mindset is particularly important when job hunting or seeking a promotion. It determines whether you show up self-confidently or wracked with self-doubt. The dictionary defines mindset as “a person’s usual attitude or...
Flexible Working Is ‘Just As Important To Men’
Flexible working isn’t just for caring reasons. There are lots of reasons why people want flexible working patterns and all are just an important to men.
Leading Virtually: Leadership Communication Essentials
More than ever before you are leading virtually with people dispersed throughout the globe. Here are 9 communication tips to help you engage virtually.