EX"IT" Why Women are Shunning the Technology Industry

The title above runs as the Cover Story, and 7 page feature in the July 27 edition of BRW (Business Review Weekly, Australia) , written by Kath Walters.

This is a balanced, well researched story that restores my faith in journalistic integrity. Short on sensationalism, the article explores the reasons behind the declining female participation in technical professions, most notably within the IT sector.

Extract:

"Boring and Irrelevent" is the headline of the sub-article exploring the opinions of a Year 10 student at a Melbourne Girls School. She says,"Frankly, I have never considered a career in the IT industry because I want to do something in an area that I will enjoy. I perceive the IT industry to be dominated by men, mostly because I have never come across a female IT worker. It seems to me to be an extremely dull job, especially if you are intelligent and capable of doing something better."

"Most young women agree with this view according to a 2005 study undertaken by the James Cook University. The study involved 26 QLD highschools and 1452 girls who either did or did not choose studies of Information Technology at high school.
The Study is the first large investigation into the reasons why girls do not do IT subjects at school. The result of the study underscored the perceptions that IT is boring, irrelevent and because "girls do not like computers". It found that girls perceive IT careers as isolated, alienated from society and unhealthy because they involve "sitting in front of a computer all day". The girls mostly aspired to careers that would help change and improve society - attributes they do not associate with working in IT."

"Skilled Women Needed" is a second sub-article, exploring why Australia needs women in the ICT sector and in other professions and careers. The main points are:

• "A looming skills shortage over the next 24 months, which will worsen over 5 years.
• Global competition across all industries - technology is pervasive in all industries and the foundation of competitive advantage and productivity gains.
• Innovation - Women approach design of technology in a different way from men, and may meet needs not being met.
• The number of businesses owned and managed by women is increasing faster than the average, according to American statistics, and women are often the decision makers on home technology.
• Attracting women to the industry will help arrest the exodus of young men - it is as simple as the birds and the bees
• All industries are now reliant on IT - including those that usually attract women- such as fashion, communications and the arts
• Women will be locked out of the fastest growing and best paid professions if they do not understand and use technology, and they can progress more quickly into more creative roles if they can understand how technology works.
• The stereotype of the geeky technologist who spends all day in front of a computer is becoming redundant. The trend in the industry is towards greater use of skills in which women normally excel, such as analysis, communication and organisation.
• The most senior technology roles in business - Cheif Information Officer - has, over recent years, become one that depends on the ability to communicate and negotiate with business leaders, to understand business strategy, and to plan and manage staff."