Attract Women to High Tech

On my way into work a few weeks ago, mindlessly listening to talk radio, I heard one of the most exciting pieces of news I’ve heard in a long time.  The Girl Scouts of America had added three new badges to its program: computer expert, digital movie maker and website designer.  I actually found myself cheering out loud and high fiving the steering wheel!

As a woman who has spent nearly my entire career in high tech industry, I am acutely aware of the gender gap.  From executive meetings to client calls to industry events, I almost always find myself a minority in the room.  As technology becomes pervasive across all market sectors and as the focus moves from the technology itself to the business application of it, women have more of an opportunity than ever to build successful careers with and in IT and make considerable contribution.

While women have realized many breakthroughs in the workplace over the years, the truth is our progress has stalled in IT.  Last year, a study by The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) reported that technology jobs held by women have been on the decline since 1991, when it reached a high of 36 percent.   The report goes on to share the negative impact of an unbalanced workforce to corporate profitability, innovation and competitiveness.  Companies with the highest representation of women in senior management have a 35 percent higher return on equity and a 34 percent higher return to shareholders.

Also important to know, the attrition rate of women in the high tech sector is twice that of men.  The NCWIT reports 56 percent of women in technology companies leave their organizations mid-way through their careers, representing a significant and costly loss of talent.  Reducing the attrition rate by just one quarter would add more than 200,000 staff to the IT workforce.

Why is this happening and what can we do?  Research indicates that unconscious bias, gender pay gaps, feelings of isolation, lack of role models/mentors, poor supervisory relationships and competing life responsibilities are all major contributing factors.  CompTIA is committed to doing its part in raising awareness and affecting change.  This month we are proud to introduce “Advancing Women in IT” to our roster of proactive industry communities.  Our mission is to put a spotlight on the industry and increase national interest and awareness of careers in IT.

Studies show career paths are chosen – or at least eliminated – in our teenage years.  We will work on programs that attract young women to opportunities in high tech.  We aim to smash the stereotype of the nerdy tech guy and call attention to women who have built successful careers in high tech.  We will build a network of women who can serve as mentors and motivators to each other.  We will explore best practices in business and HR management that will lead to retention and reduce attrition.  We will challenge our schools and government offices to offer programs that encourage women to pursue careers in high tech.

Our goals are lofty but our resolve is strong.  We encourage you to participate – male or female – and support our efforts.  Our first face to face meeting is scheduled for April 11^th at CompTIA’s Annual Member Meeting in Chicago.  We will host monthly calls and webinars to keep the momentum going.

As a woman in IT, I am very proud and excited to work on this initiative, along with a terrific group of talented women (and we do have some men participating) in the industry.  As a former girl scout, I am also very proud of the Girl Scouts of America and their decision to help girls prepare for a life and career with high tech.  2012 marks their 100^th anniversary.  Congratulations to them.  Here’s to continued progress and success for all women – and the IT industry - in the next century!