Communications of the ACM
Women in It: How to Combat Misconceptions
Experts say the information technology (IT) industry needs to start appealing to women at a younger age to encourage more of them to choose it as a career.
According to a recent V3.co.uk poll, women are disillusioned with the technology sector. Nearly half of the respondents said that men outweigh women in the IT sector, while about 20 percent said that women do not get the same pay or opportunities as men. According to IDC research, just one in five European IT practitioners is a woman, and this number is declining.
"My experience is that the IT sector has moved on significantly, and we are at the stage now where it is a far more appealing career route for women than it has ever been," says Microsoft's Stephen Uden. IBM's Helen Cook says the IT sector needs an updated reputation. "Women need to want to be in IT and bring their personalities and skills to the industry and be confident about doing so," she says. Female role models also are essential for individuals to image their own participation in the IT field, says ThoughtWorks' Rebecca Parsons.
From V3.co.uk
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