Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1213020
Let's face it: being a woman in the tech industry is tough. Let's look at some statistics for women in technology. In 2018, according to Statista, the percent of adults who have completed four years or more of college is 35.3% female and 34.6% male. This clearly leaves the vast majority—both male and female—without college degrees, yet that is often the first thing called for in a job description. Women make up only 20% of engineering graduates, with 11% of women as practicing engineers. In 2019, female computer science majors dropped to 18% according to "State of Women in Tech." Women hold only 25% of com- puting jobs, and this number has been in a steady decline. The turnover rate is more than twice as high for women (41% versus 17%). Twelve percent of engineers in Silicon Valley startups are women, with only 11% representation in executive positions. Women of color and minorities are only a fraction of those women listed above. Yet, study after study has clearly shown the benefits and profitability resulting from diversity in the workforce. In Silicon Valley, the median male earns 61% more than the median female. According to Tech Crunch, 63% of the time, women receive a lower salary offer than men in the same job. Women are often the ones who will leave their jobs to be caregivers due to their lower pay rates. Women leave tech (or never start) for a variety of reasons. Harassment and work-life balance are listed as exit reasons. It is also evident that there is a genuine lack of role models for young women and girls in the technology/STEM fields to help address gender imbalance. So why aren't companies scooping up females and minorities to fix these issues? It's time for change. We must BE the difference we expect to see. We must be sponsors. Trades are critical to our survival. In fact, I would go so far as to say that without trades, nothing would be built. Bringing more women into trades solves a myriad of problems. Let's face it: college is not in the cards for everyone. For one thing, the curriculum is not everywhere, and in many cases, has lagged far behind the rapidly changing technology. Being certified does fill in knowledge gaps for those with AND without degrees. But that simply isn't enough, by itself, to kick-start a woman's career. More than Words from Women in BICSI "Be a Mentor and a Sponsor" By Carrie Goetz, D.MCO, Principal and CTO, StrategITcom, LLC RCDD/NTS, CDCP, CDCS, CNID, Master IM, AWS CCP, Certified SCRUM Master ORGANIZATION Page 14