The technology sector stands as one of the essential driving forces for economic growth, steering advancements that shape our society. Yet, it also remains an arena predominantly navigated by men. Women in tech are historically underrepresented. Less than 35% of us are working in the industry right now, a figure that, despite gradual increases, underscores a gender disparity.
Furthermore, a slow pace of change suggests a lengthy timeline—over 130 years—before we can anticipate a closure of such a gender gap.
On International Women's Day, I seize the moment of reflection as a checkpoint for both women and the broader community to assess progress and strategize for the future. In this spirit, I too contribute to the conversation by sharing 8 strategies drawn from my personal experience. I hope these insights can somehow shed light on the subject and support other women in their journey to break the glass ceiling in the tech industry.
Women in Tech: A Few Stats to Understand the Landscape
Here are a few facts that help paint the picture of the current landscape for women in tech:
- 58 women are promoted to manager for every 100 men.
- Only 23% of women STEM majors end up working in tech.
- Women are 65% more likely to be impacted by layoffs in the tech industry than men are.
The above statistics emphasize our urgent need for gender diversity in the sector, both as an ethical imperative as well as a pathway to driving company success. Diverse teams aren’t just more innovative; they also reflect the broad spectrum of tech users, advocating for these users to have a voice in the decision-making process.
Therefore, it’s time to explore what can be done to empower women to advance in their tech careers and break the so-called “glass ceiling”. By doing so, we commit to creating an industry that’s more inclusive, where we hope every contribution is valued and every voice is heard.
8 Ways to Help Women in Tech Break the Glass Ceiling
Invisible barriers, biases, and stereotypes preventing women and minorities from reaching the positions they want is usually referred to as a “glass ceiling”. It isn’t immediately apparent, but it’s there, and it’s blocking upward movement in their careers.
If you’re a woman interested in pursuing a career in the field, here are some tips to help you break into the industry:
- Network
Be sure to participate in industry events and online forums and connect with professionals and other women in the field. A network of contacts can help you stay updated on the latest trends and open doors to new opportunities.
- Connect with a Mentor
Look for mentors who can offer guidance, encouragement, and support as you navigate your career path. A woman who has faced the complexities of the tech industry can help you by sharing her experiences and giving you advice on how to succeed. We’re better together!
- Educate Yourself on the Tech Ecosystem
Take advantage of free online resources like FreeCodeCamp, Coursera, and Codecademy to learn programming languages and other essential technology skills. Does your company offer a budget for employee education or training? Make sure to explore this option, as well.
- Gain Experience through Internships
Though justly criticized for usual inequivalences in pay rates, seek to apply for internships that recognize your time and contributions to gain hands-on experience and demonstrate your commitment to potential employers. Starting out in entry-level positions or adjacent roles can help you get going on your path toward a rewarding career.
- Know that Soft Skills Matter
Skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability are also important in industries that, at first, seem so hard-driven, like technology. Develop and highlight those capabilities to demonstrate how you can contribute to successful project outcomes.
- Fight that Imposter Syndrome
Sometimes women’s inability to believe that our success is deserved can be a barrier, especially in a male-dominated tech industry. Address it both personally and within the workplace so others can feel confident in their efforts and skills. I encourage you to check out the advice of these five women on overcoming these feelings of self-doubt.
- Celebrate Milestones
Recognize your achievements and understand that your success is a product of your hard work, dedication, and desire to be where you want to be. Always remind yourself of your capabilities, especially during moments of doubt.
- Stay Curious
The technology industry is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay informed and be willing to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies. Don’t worry; everyone is on a learning path when it comes to topics they wish to learn.
Also, a sense of community is key in this matter. Fostering a supportive environment where women uplift one another can help amplify our voices and create pathways for both solo and collective success.
How Nearsure’s Making the Difference
At Nearsure, we believe that diversity leads to more creative solutions and innovative outcomes; and female empowerment and egalitarian career opportunities are core to our mission.
In that sense, 40% of our current company leadership is made up of women, with that number growing as we implement even more inclusive policies and initiatives. Additionally, as we strive to promote more women joining the industry, we’re engaged in tech community-oriented actions, such as:
- In partnership with MediaChicas, we offer scholarships that provide education for Latin American women who want to access the tech industry. Together, we created the “CodearFutura” program, which reached over 3000 women in 2023. It includes training in frontend development and data analytics while also focusing on developing both hard and soft skills in women from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
- We sponsor women-led events, including Django Girls, Women Techmakers, Frontin Elas Programam, Jump Conference, and FemIT.
- We collaborate with organizations working towards gender equality in the industry.
In an increasingly digital world, the technology industry plays a key role in shaping our future. Championing gender diversity is not only ethical but also a strategic necessity. By doing so, we can ensure the brightest minds are working together to drive innovation and create solutions that benefit everyone.
The path to shattering the glass ceiling is paved with each conversation, and every action towards equality propels us closer to that goal. Is our journey far from over? Absolutely. But united, we can accelerate the process.
Let us persist in these efforts, ensuring the dialogue on gender diversity in tech is kept alive and going. Together, we build upon the foundations laid by women before us, thus paving the way for a truly inclusive industry.
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