Communications of the ACM
Tech Women Are Busy Building Their Own Networks
Women increasingly are networking with one another to expand their opportunities for technology careers.
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Despite their under-representation in technology careers, women are present in the field and are increasingly networking with one another to expand their opportunities.
The gender gap in technology receives significant attention, but some say focusing on this discrepancy diminishes the accomplishments of the women who are working in the field.
"As much as we need to increase diversity, we need to increase visibility of current diversity," says Natalia Oberti Noguera, founder and chief executive of the Pipeline Fellowship, which trains women to become startup investors.
Several networks have formed to focus on advancing the careers of women in technology, including Women in Tech, Tech LadyMafia, ACM's Women in Computing (ACM-W), and the National Center for Women in Information Technology (NCWIT).
Meanwhile, informal networks and more organized communities for women are springing up, many of which are outside of Silicon Valley.
Oberti Noguera speculates that women entrepreneurs feel more welcome in cities with a less-established startup culture, while other observers suggest that cities such as Washington, D.C., and New York are based on a stronger networking culture. Washington, D.C., also provides opportunities with government and nonprofit groups that can fulfill the need to do meaningful work, which many women in the technology industry cite above financial objectives as their top goal.
From The Washington Post
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