Not Enough Women In IT

According to recent research, the IT sector may be a better career choice for women than it appears at first glance. So why are less women entering the field and record numbers of women leaving it?

Society doesn’t really seem to encourage women to study or excel at maths or science. And if less women go into the technological fields then even less women will consider it a good career choice because there will be no female role models to aspire to.

Even if women start off in a job in a technology company quite often they will leave because they do not find the position flexible enough. Read: family-friendly! A lot of women want to have families and as they get into their late twenties and early thirties it begins to hit home that the industry, a traditionally male field, doesn’t really cater for them. Almost all jobs in the technology industry are held by men. It is one of the last “male-dominated” industries there is.

If technology companies want to attract top female graduates to join their ranks then they need to shake up their policies and give greater flexibility to the roles. Women have plenty to offer the tech industry but they need to be getting something in return. Otherwise women just won’t stay in IT jobs and the industry will miss out on all the amazing skills they have to offer.

Contact the author here: jmw@morningquickie.com