Women who have a passion for technology can be a powerful asset to any company. However, they often don’t have the support to build and advance their careers on their own terms.

This is especially true in the tech industry, where the percentage of women holding technical jobs has declined since 1995. Fortunately, there are many ways to redress this imbalance.

1. Encouragement

Encouragement is a type of support that can help women in tech thrive. It’s not something that will solve their issues instantly, but it can help them in the long run.

The tech industry has a reputation for being a “boys’ club,” and women face sexism, underpayment, and lack of job promotions that make it difficult to get ahead in the field. Despite this, there are still many ways that companies can help women in tech feel more supported and encouraged.

One way that businesses can encourage more women to pursue tech roles is by providing coaching and mentoring for female employees. This can help them to improve their skills and work more efficiently. It can also help them to develop a strong network of other women in the industry.

Another way that businesses can encourage more women to pursue technology is through showcasing female role models in the industry. This can be done by hosting events, offering career development programmes and showcasing female leaders within the industry.

This can also be done by collaborating with academic institutions, who may offer a variety of opportunities that could encourage younger students to consider a career in tech. These could include guest lectures, work experience, and even a year’s paid placement. It is important that businesses offer these kinds of programmes to ensure that women are more aware of the different types of tech roles available, as well as the benefits that pursuing a career in technology can bring.

2. Mentorship

Women in technology need mentors to guide them and help them get where they want to go. A mentoring relationship can provide a wealth of information and knowledge about the industry, stimulate personal and professional growth, offer reassurance, act as a confidant, and more.

Mentorship can also help women who work in male-dominated fields acclimate to the culture of their new organization or department. For example, if a woman is working in a technology company that’s dominated by men, she might need to learn a new way of looking at a problem or decision.

There are many organizations that offer mentorship opportunities for women in tech, and they range from free programs to paid options. These include NPower MATCH, Girls in Tech and Women In Technology International (WIT).

NPower, a national training nonprofit, provides 23 weeks of virtual classes in IT, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies. The program’s virtual sessions pair participants with mentors who have experience in their desired field.

For example, Teniola Akande, who recently completed the tech fundamentals course offered by NPower, was paired with a mentor through the nonprofit’s MATCH program. She says that the mentorship experience helped her build confidence and self-esteem.

Women in technology can also find mentors through networking events, social media, and online platforms like LinkedIn. A reputable mentor will be interested in helping their mentees grow and succeed, will be transparent about what they’re doing to help, and will have the time to talk through questions.

Finding a mentor can be difficult, but it’s essential to find someone who is knowledgeable about your field of interest and has a positive outlook on life. A good mentor should be willing to answer your questions, give constructive criticism and advice, and share their own experiences and stories. If you don’t feel comfortable working with your mentor, it’s okay to end the relationship and search for a different match.

3. Networking

Networking is a crucial aspect to any career, and it can be especially beneficial for women in technology. This is because it allows you to connect with people who have the same interests as you and can help you progress in your field.

It is also a great way to gain new business opportunities and improve your professional status. You can do this by joining professional networking groups on social media or through conferences.

A good place to start is on LinkedIn, where you can join a variety of different groups. For example, there is a Women in Tech group where you can meet women who are working in similar roles and discuss advice with them. You can also use direct messaging to connect with people that you find interesting – this is a great way to make new contacts and keep up to date on the latest industry news.

Other networking resources include local events and idea-sharing groups. For example, Girl Geek Dinners host dinner-meetings and other networking events for women in all types of tech roles across the country.

Conferences are another excellent option for women in tech to meet other professionals. They can be a great way to stay up to date on the latest trends and learn from inspiring speakers.

Another great resource is Girls Who Code, which aims to empower women and close the gender gap in tech by teaching girls how to program. It provides after-school programs and summer courses to get kids interested in tech careers, as well as career advice and support for college students.

4. Inclusion

Inclusion means creating a workplace environment where all people feel welcome and valued. This includes rewriting implicit bias and challenging the idea that different is inferior. Inclusion can be a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to promote diversity and bring fresh perspectives to a company.

In the tech industry, a diverse workforce is important for several reasons. For one, it allows for greater creativity and innovation. In addition, it can improve the quality of a company’s products and services.

Women are essential to the success of tech companies, but many of them struggle with discrimination in the workplace. This is especially true in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) roles.

Some companies have made progress when it comes to gender balance in their organizations, but they have a long way to go before they reach parity. This can be due to a variety of factors, including lack of female role models, a toxic culture, and a scarcity of opportunities for advancement.

For many women, the biggest barrier to their professional development is a lack of access to senior colleagues who can help them advance. In addition, many junior technical employees have a hard time obtaining promotions.

Inclusion initiatives can help women in tech thrive by increasing their job satisfaction and career prospects. These initiatives can include things like offering remote work options, flexible scheduling, and a healthy company culture. They can also include implementing diversity and inclusion policies that promote safe workplaces for women and LGBTQI employees.

5. Representation

While many tech companies are taking steps to increase the gender diversity of their workforces, it’s important to understand that women have a long way to go before they can be considered fully represented in the industry. Getting there requires both a commitment from the senior leadership and strategic focus to cultivate a more inclusive culture.

One key to attracting more women to the tech field is education. A report published by Girls Who Code found that 74% of girls express an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects. This interest can only be fostered by a positive educational environment and a strong support system of mentors, peers and role models.

However, women are still underrepresented in the STEM pipeline. For example, only 22% of undergraduate STEM degrees are awarded to women. This discrepancy is even more pronounced in fields like computer science and engineering.

The same holds true for women in technical roles at tech companies. Despite their dedication to career advancement, many early-tenure women find themselves isolated from opportunities for promotion or leadership training because of their lack of seniority.

This problem can be solved through creative programs to promote early-tenure workers and ensure they can join high-visibility projects where they can develop their skills on the job. It can also help if companies create project databases where employees can search for opportunities that best suit their skill sets.

While these strategies may seem simple, they’re not without challenges. For example, female employees in tech are more likely to leave their careers if they have children or are impacted by pandemics. In addition, the tech industry is a male-dominated environment that can make it hard for women to feel comfortable in the field.