Came across an interesting article today on ITWorldCanada that discusses the need to nurture and support women in pursuing careers in IT.
The article recaps many of the panelist discussions from the Women in IT National Forum held recently in Toronto and hosted by the Information and Communications Technology Council. According to one panelist - Microsoft Canada practice manager Elizabeth Carson - women tend to be project managers and business analysts, roles "that play upon their ability to understand communities and what users want."
To get more women interested in pursuing careers in IT, the article discusses the following suggestions generated during the Women In IT National Forum.
issue: Women don't network as much as men do.
solution: Come up with structured mentoring system - one that helps women to self-organize and create their own community of mentors, role-models and peers.
Women 2.0 comment: Women do network, however many aren't comfortable with the traditional "schmoozy" networking events out there. And women still juggle the majority of responsibilities at home - caring for children and running the household. Couple those responsibilities with a full-time job and it doesn't leave a lot of free time.
Women in IT need an environment that supports and nurtures a feeling of community. That's Women 2.o's whole purpose - to bring women in IT together as a community that encourages women to network, share experiences and learn from one another. We want to encourage women to work with and in the field of technology and to launch their own companies.
issue: The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry is perceived as boring and uninteresting.
solution: Make it look fun and sexy and offer a flexible work environment. Bring better education to the school-age generation. Offer a family-friendly, flexible schedule that honors the work/life balance.
Women 2.0 comment: I think "interesting" is a more appropriate word than sexy but the point is well made. With technology constantly advancing, careers in IT are exciting, challenging and rewarding. Women need to be more aware of the opportunities available to them in the ICT sector. And if this sector wants to attract women, then they need to provide more flexibility.
example: The article states that at IBM Canada, 30 per cent of the workforce works from home (one of my female friends who works for IBM takes advantage of this option and loves it.). IBM Canada also offers part-time positions and flexible work hours.
What are your thoughts on the above issues and solutions?
Melany Gallant
Women 2.0 Ottawa Co-founder