Information technology is one of the fastest growing U.S. industries, and there are more jobs in computer science than graduates to fill those positions, according to Accenture research addressing the gender gap in computing. But in the IT universe, there’s a whole lot more Mars than Venus. As of 2022, just 24% of computing jobs were held by women and only 19% of STEM majors were women.
We need more women in tech jobs — to problem-solve, engineer, innovate, grow relationships and contribute to product development. After all, if about half of consumers are female and we’re designing software, hardware and tech tools without women’s voice at the table, aren’t we inherently missing the market?
Women in tech jobs bring a fresh perspective, diversifying the conversation. This is important for any business in every industry. A Harvard Business Review study found that diverse teams develop more innovative ideas. And let’s face it, women and men are different. (This is a good thing!) When we invite a range of perspectives to the workplace, we grow a more creative talent pool.
A range of perspectives sparks innovation. More voices at the table means more creativity, more skills and more experiences that contribute to creative problem solving. Studies prove that mixed-gender teams deliver more novel work than all-women or all-men teams. And diverse workplaces also tend to be more profitable. A McKinsey & Company report showed gender-diverse companies are 25 percent more likely to outperform competitors that lack diversity. And the more women represented, the better for a business’s bottom line – by up to 48 percent.
It’s always the right time to showcase tech jobs for women, and in honor of Women’s History Month in March, we hope highlighting opportunities in IT and tech careers throughout the industry and at DMC Technology Group will inspire more women to pursue tech jobs.
So, how do women thrive in tech jobs? Here are five qualities that make women an ideal fit.
A study in Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal highlights creativity and gender differences, explaining that women naturally analyze and their minds are constantly at work. This is not to say men are not doing the same, but women plan, organize and multitask as a necessity of everyday life. And so it makes sense that in the IT workplace, these skills are valuable for solving problems, addressing challenges and designing new products.
Explaining thoughts and verbal/written expression are a strength women bring to teams. So is listening. (Communication isn’t just about talking.) Women are effective at perceiving body language and feelings. Women in IT jobs can explain complex concepts to clients, interface with customers in a way that shows understanding and empathy, and listen to client requests and feedback so they feel heard.
Overall, women are connectors, valuing relationships with each other, their families, friends and communities. In the IT workplace, this provides a rich client experience that is appreciated in VCIO, co-managed and managed service roles.
Women are patient, taking time to teach and explain. As mentors, women in tech jobs can encourage more females to pursue IT careers by setting an inspiring example. The IT sector provides rewarding, well-paying career opportunities, where women can excel as leaders.
There’s a high demand for skilled workers in the technology industry, with expected continued growth. For women with the right skills, education and experience, this means many job opportunities. With the tech industry constantly evolving, there will also be opportunities for career growth and advancement.
Diverse work environments attract talent in regions that value and support women in the workplace like the United States and Western Europe. Diversity can indicate that a company is competently run and values a range of perspectives. When workplaces recruit and promote women – including them at all levels and in the C-suite – they outperform in the hiring game. Case in point: When the job site Glassdoor surveyed job seekers, 67% of the 1,000 respondents said they evaluate workplace diversity when deciding if a company is a great place to work. Another survey revealed that 61% of women look at gender diversity when considering a future employer.
Even knowing that a more gender-diverse workforce outperforms others, is attractive to job candidates and is proven to be more innovative, women still only represent 26% of the tech workforce in the United States. Only 5% of tech leadership positions belong to women, and the percentage of women in all tech-related careers has decreased during the last couple of years. There’s a significant gap in women’s representation in tech given that women account for 47.7% of the global workforce. When you consider that women account for nearly 48% of the global workforce, it highlights the vast opportunity for companies to diversify their workforce and improve their bottom line.
Our bottom line? The tech world needs more women in tech.
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Posted by Greg Gomach, Business Unit Manager at DMC Technology Group
