Synopsis According to global research, there were 28. 8% women in tech in 2020, compared to 25. 9% in 2018 and 26.
2% in 2019. While the participation of women in tech is increasing by the day, here are some tips that can further encourage them to make a career in the tech sector. Getty Images Never let the historical narrative or participation statistics of the technology industry discourage you or get in the way or stop you from being part of the industry because, as I said at the outset, things are progressively changing and talent is finding its place in the industry.
Ada Lovelace is referred to as the “world’s first computer programmer” and one of the first few women in technology. While working with Charles Babbage, aka The Father of Computers, Lovelace left notes on Analytical Engine, which inspired computer scientist Alan Turing to build the first modern computer in the 1940s. It’s admirable and inspiring how a woman's work in another century has inspired the systems we are working on today.
Trailblazers like Lovelace, computer scientists Grace Hopper and Annie Easley, and Hedy Lamarr, developer of frequency hopping tech used in Wi-Fi, have broken the glass ceiling and paved the way for the women of the present. Some popular names in the Indian tech space include NASSCOM President Debjani Ghosh, Flaguni Nayar, Founder and CEO of Nykaa , and HCL Tech Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra, among others. We are registering a steady increase in the number of women in the tech workforce globally.
According to global research, there were 28. 8% women in tech in 2020, compared to 25. 9% in 2018 and 26.
2% in 2019. While the participation of women is increasing by the day, here are some tips that can further encourage them to make a career in the tech sector. Stick to STEM As per a World Bank report - The Equality Equation: Advancing the Participation of Women and Girls in STEM – globally, girls enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at the tertiary level are just 18%, whereas the figure stands at 35% for boys.
For the positive growth of the tech industry, both boys and girls must be equally encouraged to opt for STEM and bring their innovative ideas to the sector. It’s high time that these subjects are positioned in an exciting way instead of as a challenge. The STEM model is carved precisely for that as it exposes students to the world outside their classrooms.
The same is possible with collaborations between businesses and the education sector. I Investing in tech tools and setting up STEM labs in secondary/higher secondary schools is necessary to nudge young talent from an early age and encourage them to remain curious and explore. The best bet for a bright future in tech is investing in young innovators and making them career ready.
Upskill To survive and thrive in the tech industry, one needs to constantly update themselves with new technologies and developments because of such nature of the industry. Staying up to date and learning as much about the industry as possible becomes even more critical in the fast-paced environment. A tech degree from a prestigious institution can become irrelevant sooner than expected due to technology's pace.
Therefore, one has to remain curious about the industry and become a catalyst for change. Learn to be articulate The only difference between leaders and followers is the voice. If you have a voice — use it.
As a woman, you shouldn’t be scared to speak up or voice your opinion or make your point if you feel you are not being heard. At the same time, listening to your teams, enabling, and empowering them to get the work done is also important. You should know how to use your knowledge, not just in fulfilling your tasks but also in leveraging it for your growth.
Build Network Networking is essential to growing in every industry and is no different for the tech sector. Today, several organizations and groups are enabling people to connect with those in leadership positions through sessions/meetings. It is essentially based on the idea of supporting each other.
A strong network of leaders, influencers, motivators, and supporters is a solid plus for constantly learning and growing in the tech space. A strong network can help you with tips; they can coach you and motivate you. It is a great way to learn about new opportunities in the industry too.
Find a mentor There’s nothing wrong in asking for help if you are stuck at something or can’t figure out the solution to your problem, especially if you are in tech. Finding a mentor who can help you learn, and grow is crucial. They have probably been at a place where you are, and you can always understand better from their experiences.
Finding a woman mentor isn’t necessary; your mentor can be anyone, irrespective of gender. Thus, do not limit yourself while seeking a mentor. Managing Microstress Not many people know about Microstress, but it impacts your everyday life.
As the name implies, it might be invisible to us initially, but it creates a ripple effect that can have long-lasting health issues. Thus, you must learn to manage Microstress early in life. For example, you get a request from a client late in the evening about an urgent review meeting the next day.
The immediate impact is making time for that meeting in your calendar and preparing for the same. The secondary effect is adjusting the to-do lists, which delays the work and might require you to work on a weekend. Now your plans for the weekend are affected, and you feel guilty about canceling on your best friend and not taking time off for yourself or for your family member.
Here one trigger has changed how your whole week will look and impact your health in the long run. You might not know what led you to this situation, but you are stressed. The best way to deal with Microstress is to identify the initial trigger and manage it right there instead of approaching it with a one-day-at-a-time approach.
Conclusion Never let the historical narrative or participation statistics of the technology industry discourage you or get in the way or stop you from being part of the industry because, as I said at the outset, things are progressively changing and talent is finding its place in the industry. By now, we all know that ‘tech isn’t for women’ is just a myth. The key to making it big in every industry, including the tech sector, is never giving up and staying consistent with your efforts.
There’s nothing that can stop you from achieving your goals. (The writer is MD, Infobip- India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal) Don’t miss out on ET Prime stories! Get your daily dose of business updates on WhatsApp. click here! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer.
The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www. economictimes. com .
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