It is widely accepted that the field of IT is 'a man's world', but recently females are sprouting in this space.
The reasons that females choose a career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are numerous, but I'd like to talk about a few. Kindly read along; I promise not to bore you with stories, LOL.
Flexibility: A lot of sectors still have the traditional 8-5 or 8-8 work hours. People in the tech industry need not necessarily work from the office; they can contribute efficiently by working from home. This element is a plus for women, especially those who are thinking of starting their own family or those who already have one. This helps balance both aspects of their lives. Looking after their families need not curb their career.
The need for gender diversity and equality in IT: The reasoning ability, viewpoints and market insights of women are quite different from that of men. This gives them the ability to do things differently and makes them better problem solvers. Joining the industry at this critical time can help women make a long-lasting impact on the industry's future and the technology used daily. Not only can women change the industry by working in tech, but they can also change what the industry produces and ensure that the technology being developed is done with women in mind. More so, the proposed Sustainable Development Goal 5 addresses this and reads, "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls". How do we achieve this if the females are not actively involved in IT? All we need to do is to show up!
Availability of high paying jobs: Getting a job is a deal but getting a high paying job is the real deal! There are many chances of working and getting paid a very substantial salary in the tech industry. A case study is 22year old Allison Larson, a baker at a large grocery chain who kneaded enough cookies daily to lose the feeling in her fingertips. She learnt about Turing through a friend and applied, despite having no background in technology or programming. She went straight through the four quarters of Turing’s program, graduated in the top segment of her class, and relocated to New York City, where she writes software for Bonobos and has tripled her prior salary. Are you wowed? We also have Geraldina Alvarez-Garcia, who was born in Venezuela and relocated to New York with her family. She was unable to complete college due to financial limitations. She joined the NYC Web Development Fellowship in partnership with the Flatiron School, where she fell in love with technology. Today, 23-year-old Geraldina is employed as a full-time software engineer. This is after 22 weeks of intensive training and an internship at Brooklyn-based Kickstarter. Her current role pays an average salary of nearly $80,000. Can you see that IT is a gold mine? And yes, even for females!
Wider range of opportunities: Do you need a job, or are you underpaid in your current position and need something better? It's okay if you can’t imagine yourself developing software in Silicon Valley. IT is not all about coding; there is a wide range of varieties which includes software engineering, cybersecurity, network administration, design, data analytics, and more. Tech jobs are available in every sector. In IT, there is a great need for skilled tech professionals to fill those jobs, so why not fill them with women? These opportunities narrow the gender gap in tech, and it would be great if women are willing to take them.
Changing the narrative: Women have been known, traditionally, to be homemakers, child bearers, caterers, among others. I'm not saying these careers are bad, but learning digital skills give women a wider range of options. Women have also been left out in innovation, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers. Yet, these sectors design, build and code our future. These, among others, are some of the reasons why many women consider careers in STEM. I'll love to conclude this article with the saying of President Barack Obama at the National League of Cities Annual Conference on March 9th, 2015, where he said, "When these tech jobs go unfilled, it’s a missed opportunity for the workers, but it’s also a missed opportunity for your city, your community, your county, your state, and our nation". Dear girls in tech, don't despair. Stay focused. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. IT is a buffet, and you surely will have a lot to pick from. Choose wisely!
Reference: obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/issues/technol.. whatshetechs.com/blog/2016/3/4/5-reasons-wo.. Top 5 reasons Women should work in technology by estio.uk.co(https://www.estio.co.uk/top-5-reasons-women-should-work-in-technology/) Gender equality and women’s empowerment by United Nations sdgs.un.org/topics/gender-equality-and-wome.. By Aminat O. Fagbenle