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Technology Career

Aug 4 2008   11:14AM GMT

Girls, Technology and Career Paths



Posted by: Joe Coley
IT Management, Technology Career, IT administration

Once again I have found myself drawn to an article dealing with “girls”, technology and careers.  The article in question, “Girl Power! Summer camp grooms tomorrow’s techies” introduces us to a summer high tech camp for girls 11-14 years old.  It seems that these girls are experiencing opportunities to see technology in action in what is referred to as a “girl-friendly” atmosphere.  The hope of the program being that this program will “…make technology relevant — even cool — for this at-risk age and gender group…by exposing them to women in technology-related careers”. 

As I look back at my experiences in this industry I see but a handful of women who have chosen to make software development their career, and even fewer seem to be involved with other IT functions.  To my way of thinking, we are missing out!  I don’t think we need hard headed “know it all’s” of any gender, but I strongly believe that we do need the perspectives that only a women brings to a project, and the lack of women involved in technology restricts us.

While I have heard many a snide remark made regarding some of the female perspectives that those daring enough to voice did in fact voice, I have often wondered about how many of the impractical, almost “toys” that have come and gone in the corporate world would never have gotten off the ground had there been respected female perspectives listened to.

I hope the program referenced meets with successes way beyond their stated goals.  The statistics presented in the article about women and their technology careers tells us something is missing - and indeed it is - the female talent. 

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Jun 20 2008   2:51AM GMT

The Technology Career - Demands and Observations



Posted by: Joe Coley
IT administration, IT Management, Technology Career, IT Career, work-life balance

I read with dismay and a good deal of reflection a recent article entitled “Why women quit Technology Careers” and comments posted to the article by an Anonymous (presumeably female) reader.  This article caught my attention on numerous levels — the first being that somehow through my years I have become a champion for women in their jobs - be it technology or other.  I’ve seen too many very capable women move on because their work was somehow devalued, considered somehow to be less than their male counterparts.

Secondly the article made some references to work-life balance.  The article states that “…in tech, the average workweek is 71 hours…”.  In my book this is just unacceptable - not that I haven’t done it of course!  However, it still was not acceptable.  I remember picking up the phrase from someone that said “…we work to live, we don’t live to work…”.  I’ve always worked long hours, but I’ve also chosen work that I love to do.  Enjoying one’s work in and of itself I believe provides a level of work-life balance. 

That being said, I believe that in technology anyone, male or female, who leans toward a more “normal” work-life balance leaves themselves open for criticism and all too often become devalued in their workplace.  For example, I remember how a worker at a vendor of mine was viewed after he took “maternity” leave to be with his wife and new baby.   “Mr. Mom” lost significant respect among his fellow workers for his choice, while managing to keep his job after all the time off. 

I really believe that when all is said and done the reason why tech people leave their field often has little to do with hours, but rather has to do with how they are perceived and treated in their workplace.  If they feel valued, if they are not isolated, if they are trusted, if they like what they do — they stick around.

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