Undoubtedly, the IT industry is mostly men, creating a major hurdle for women working in tech.
But you know what? Fearless women are stepping up and making moves to turn the tide. This is proven by National Science Foundation data that more women are earning STEM degrees than ever before, and they’re catching up to men in science and engineering bachelor’s degrees.
If you are about to take on a career in tech, you may be thinking about the advantages of being a minority. From mentorship programs to organizations that advocate for gender equality, the future looks bright for women in the tech world.
This blog is all about empowering all the women to take advantage of these initiatives and make their mark in the tech industry. So, buckle up, ladies!
A brief history of women in tech
Women have been making waves in technology since way back in the 1700s. Take Nicole-Reine Lepautre, for example, a French mathematician and astronomer who predicted the return of Halley’s Comet by calculating the timing of a solar eclipse. After six months of hard work with her team, their predictions were spot on. The comet showed up on 13 March 1759, just a smidge off from their predicted arrival date of 13 April 1759.
Ada Lovelace is another prime example of how women have been involved in the technology industry since its inception. Despite facing gender bias as a female mathematician in the 19th century, she wrote an algorithm for Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine.
It’s fascinating to think that women didn’t start entering the industry in significant numbers until the 1960s. At that time, computing was still a relatively new field with a shortage of workers. As a result, many women were able to secure jobs in the industry.
Despite early success, the number of women in tech declined in the 1980s. Personal computing’s rise, marketed mainly to men, and the industry’s male-dominated culture hindered women’s entry.
As of 2024, women make up 35% of STEM employees in the U.S.—a huge jump from the 90s! That’s definitely something to celebrate. But let’s be real; there’s still a long way to go before we reach the kind of gender diversity we’re all hoping for.
On Being a Woman in the Tech Industry
Have you ever been the only woman in a room full of men? If so, you know what it means to be a woman in tech.
The gender diversity gap is a real issue, and female employees often encounter various challenges when trying to break into the tech industry. These challenges can include unequal pay and being overlooked for promotions. According to a 2022 report from McKinsey, only 86 women are promoted to manager for every 100 men across all industries. However, when specifically looking at the tech sector, this number drops to 52 women for every 100 men.
In Spain, the tech industry is missing out on the power of women. Only 20.6% of tech workers are women, while the demand for professionals keeps doubling.
To add insult to injury, women in Spain earn 9.4% less than men. It may not sound like a lot, but it’s like working for free for 34 days every year.
So, what does it mean to be a woman in tech? It means being loud and proud of being a part of a community of strong, intelligent women. You challenge boundaries and shape the future of technology for younger generations.
For those women just starting their journey in tech, you are holding a space for other women to follow in your footsteps. And for those already established in the industry, you are paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse future.
What Makes the Future Bright for Women in Tech Roles?
Young women today have more opportunities and resources than ever before to break into the tech industry. This is brought by the growing support and initiatives that aim to close the gender gap in tech. And, every year, more and more women are making significant contributions to the industry.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why the future is bright for STEM women:
More opportunities for education
Empowering young women to be in tech starts with creating a supportive and encouraging environment in schools. Thankfully, several institutions, colleges, and organizations are working hard to increase women’s exposure to the field.
Take Ada Developers Academy, for example. It’s a nonprofit, tuition-free coding school that prioritizes BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and low-income individuals to get into their training program. Participants even get to participate in a paid “applied learning internship,” where they learn to write code and gain the skills to become software engineers.
Mentorship programs
Aside from education, mentorship opportunities provide support, guidance, and networking opportunities to women in tech. These programs empower women to start their careers or those looking to advance to leadership positions.
Plenty of famous companies, like Women Who Code, have mentorship programs tailored for women in the tech industry. They’re a global organization that offers mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities to women in tech.
Addressing salary equality
Pay parity has been a buzz in the tech industry for years, with a gender wage gap of 1.6%. It also showed that even when working remotely, women seemed content with settling for $0.95 for every dollar their male colleagues asked for in wages.
Aside from gender, there is also an issue of minorities being paid significantly less in comparison, and the compensation is worse for women of color. However, several initiatives are now in place to address these inequalities, such as transparency in pay scales and actively working towards closing the wage gap.
Empowerment through flexible working hours
Women juggle a lot, and balancing a full-time job while taking care of a family is no small task. Thankfully, the tech industry has stepped up with flexible hours and remote work, making it easier for women to manage both their personal and professional lives.
Remote work technologies are making a big difference for women in tech by offering unmatched flexibility. Being able to work from anywhere helps women juggle their careers and personal responsibilities, like caregiving, without putting their professional growth on hold. This kind of flexibility is paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.
Seeing the value of diversity
Gender discrimination begins with outdated mindsets that portray specific gender stereotypes as “the norm.” Fortunately, more people are now aware of this impact on the workplace. Nowadays, most companies recognize the importance of diversity and actively strive to create an inclusive environment.
A team with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can drive innovation and creativity. The future of tech will be shaped by a diverse workforce that reflects the diversity of society, and this includes having women on board.
Abundance of online resources
Having an online community and resources for girls interested in STEM fields can have a significant impact on their career path. Several organizations offer coding workshops, online courses, and webinars to introduce young girls to the world of tech.
If you want to listen to women technologists and leaders talk about their experiences, check out these podcasts:
- Women in Tech Podcast: a talk show where successful women in the tech industry, including engineers, designers, and founders, discuss their career journeys and share valuable insights.
- Girlboss Radio: they showcase inspiring women from diverse backgrounds discussing topics and offer insights into the journey of entrepreneurs building billion-dollar businesses, actors working on passion projects, and ways to become a better version of yourself.
- Women at Work: a Harvard Business Review that delves into important workplace issues for women, like navigating male-dominated industries, becoming a leader in your organization, and fostering a sense of sisterhood in both personal and professional spheres.
Read more: Best Women in Tech Podcasts to Listen to Right Now
Women-Led Startups to Watch Out For
Startups with women leaders are disrupting traditional industries and solving real-world problems. These companies have not only achieved success but also created a positive impact on society.
Here are some leading companies of women in tech you should keep an eye on:
Black Girls CODE
Black Girls CODE empowers young girls from underrepresented communities by teaching them programming languages like Scratch and Ruby on Rails. Their mission is to show that girls of all colors have the potential to become tomorrow’s programmers. With the ultimate goal of providing African-American youth with skills to fill the 1.4 million computing job openings anticipated in the U.S. by 2020, they aim to train 1 million girls by 2040.
Girls in Tech
Girls in Tech is a nonprofit organization that ensures all women are equally represented in tech work. They empower women through coding courses, bootcamps, and hackathons for girls and women of all ages and professions. Their mission is to help women succeed in tech by providing access and a supportive community. It all started in San Francisco in 2007, and now they have over 62,000 members in 33 countries. The events and programs vary by chapter to cater to the specific needs of each community.
Lesbians Who Tech
Lesbians Who Tech & Allies is a community dedicated to supporting LGBTQ women, non-binary individuals, and trans people in tech. Their mission is to increase representation of women, people of color, and queer and trans individuals in tech by connecting them with organizations and companies that advocate for their rights.
Ladies Get Paid
Ladies Get Paid is a platform focused on women’s empowerment. It provides tools, resources, and networks to help women negotiate for equal pay and influence in the workplace. This free resource connects you with a global network of professionals who support each other in job searches, advocate for higher pay, and offer mentorship to women entrepreneurs.
Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code aims to educate, inspire, and empower young women in computing fields. Their vision is to achieve gender parity, recognizing its importance for the economic prosperity of women, families, and communities worldwide. By exposing more girls to computer science at a young age, they aim to increase the number of women engineers in tech.
Baddies in Tech
Baddies in Tech, founded by Allie Joy in 2019, is a nonprofit DAO focused on empowering and uplifting Black and brown female technologists worldwide. Their mission is to increase the representation of women of color in technology to 10% by 2030, believing that diversity and digital inclusion drive innovation in the tech industry. Through networking events and a comprehensive employment database, they provide a safe space for women to connect and thrive.
Girl Develop It
If you’re looking to become a software developer, Girl Develop It is an excellent international organization certified by the Board of Education. They offer affordable and accessible programs to women who want to learn software development, providing mentorship and hands-on instruction. By fostering a supportive community, Girl Develop It helps women gain confidence in their next career move.
Join Our Diverse Team at StarTechUP
The past may have had challenges for girls and women in tech, but the present and future show much more promise. And StarTechUP is committed to being part of this change.
At StarTechUP, we value diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment for all team members. We believe that a diverse team brings different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, leading to innovation and creativity.
We are actively looking for women tech professionals to join our dynamic team and help us build cutting-edge solutions for our clients. So, if you’re looking to work with diverse, like-minded individuals who value inclusivity and innovation, then we’d love to have you on board!
Get in touch with us today, and let’s work together towards creating a more equal and diverse tech community. Remember, the future is female in tech!
