Empowering the Next Wave: The Journey and Vision of Women in Tech
In recognition of Women’s History Month, we sat down with several CNI Sales’ customers to talk about the subject of gender in the IT industry. We took our cue from the “Leap for Women in Technology!” event, sponsored by HPE Aruba Networking on Leap Day Feb 29, which focused on the unique qualities that women bring to the tech industry. The following article incorporates personal reflections from four of our customers – women who are part of a small but mighty alliance of female IT decision-makers forging their path in the industry.
Professionals in the tech industry readily recognize and acknowledge the gender imbalance that exists in IT, as study after study indicates that men significantly outnumber women. Despite efforts to bridge this divide, women still make up only 28% of the IT workforce, contrasting with their 47% presence in the overall US employment landscape. This disparity highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving gender equity in tech. (Source)
In fact, the situation appears to be getting more pronounced with time. According to a recent study by Accenture.com, fewer women are entering the field and of those who do, 50% drop out of the field by the age of 35 (compared with a 20% drop-out rate for other industries). That significantly narrows the field of women who eventually move into leadership roles in IT. Kathryn Giorgianni, Director of IT Infrastructure Services, Haverford College, notes there are steps companies can take to counteract this trend. “Organizations [need to] invest more in staff training programs, specifically around developing leadership skills. Too often individuals enter their first leadership role based on strong performance as an individual contributor but without any leadership training; it is basically ‘sink or swim.’ Studies show that women rarely apply for jobs unless they feel like they meet all the qualifications. Women who complete programs of this sort will have greater confidence to advocate for themselves as their career progresses and leadership opportunities become available.”
One powerful strategy to inspire more women to venture into tech is by shining a light on the remarkable achievements of female IT and technology leaders nationwide. Their stories of success and innovation can act as beacons, guiding and motivating the next generation of women to explore and contribute to the field.
Ms. Giorgianni comments, “[The fact that] women are still very underrepresented in technology jobs in general creates a problem with representation. It is hard to imagine yourself being successful in a role if you have no examples of someone like yourself to look towards. However, even with the gender pay gap, roles in technology tend to be well paying and the field itself is growing, so it should be a desirable career path for women.”
For Sara Sauers, Chief Information Officer at Marywood University, the path to a career in IT began in high school. “I had a female computer teacher who I greatly admired as a woman in the technology field. I knew I wanted to follow in her footsteps growing up,” she said. After graduation and starting as a helpdesk manager at Marywood University, Ms. Sauers transitioned into networking where she eventually became the university’s Network Administrator. She then advanced into leadership roles, first as Director of Infrastructure & User Services and then taking on her current role where she is responsible for overseeing the entire operation of the technology department. Her advice? “Don’t be afraid to express yourself when you have a true passion. Stay true to who you are and avoid being easily persuaded by the crowd. Learn to accept criticism without letting your emotions cloud your judgment. Every opportunity and every mistake should be seen as a chance to learn and grow, both personally and professionally.”
It’s evident that women in the tech industry are passionate about welcoming more female peers. They offer valuable guidance to those just starting out.
Donna Authenreath, Senior Network Systems Analyst – Wireless Team, Christiana Care Health Systems has a message for new graduates. “I would tell women getting into this business to find your niche and stick with it. Ask as many questions as you have to in order to learn. I learned many years ago that there is no dumb question. This business is dominated by men so women, I feel, have to work extra hard to succeed. And do not be afraid to take risks; you will learn from your mistakes. When you know and understand the business, you are taken seriously.”
Donna Evangelist, Sr. Manager Strategic IT Contracts, recalls the encouragement she received from senior co-workers when she was entering the field. “I started my career in a non-technical role at a major computer company and was excited but intimidated when I was hired into a technology role at the age of 24. One of the engineers in our group said to me, ‘you are good at what you are doing now, and you will be good at anything you try so don’t limit yourself.’”
The tech industry, while facing gender disparities, is also home to inspiring stories of women who have broken barriers and achieved remarkable success. Individuals like Sara Sauers, Kathryn Giorgianni, Donna Authenreath and Donna Evangelist underscore the potential for growth and equality in this field. Their journeys and insights offer valuable lessons on perseverance, curiosity, and leadership. In fostering a community where every aspiring woman can see herself reflected in her leaders, we can cultivate a more inclusive, vibrant tech landscape. Let’s celebrate and build on these successes, encouraging more women to explore the rewarding path of technology.