Opinion The Importance of Women to the IT Industry

By Jennifer Jones



Despite the now legendary burst of the dot-com bubble and the ongoing maturation of the technology industry, the information technology (IT) sector remains one of the core engines of the U.S. economy and one area where foreign nations continue to concentrate their efforts to challenge America's traditional role of innovative leader.

However, the U.S. IT sector is missing something. It remains an industry that has yet to approach its potential because women are under-represented in the ranks in both academia and industry.

Across industries, study after study has shown that diversity - in both ideas and workforce - is at the core of the healthiest companies. Women have already proven their ability to make a significant contribution to IT and they have much more to offer the industry, not only as a growing segment of consumers, but also as senior managers and heads of companies.



No Safety in These Numbers

Unfortunately, according to a U.S. Office of Technology Policy report, women, who comprise 51% of the population and earn more than half of all bachelor-level degrees, earn only about 25% of the bachelor-level computer and information sciences degrees. In 1984, nearly 36% of all computer science degrees were awarded to women. Today, according to the Center for Women and Information Technology (CWIT) at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), the number of women among all computer science degree recipients stands at about 26%.

Regrettably, the absence of women in the high tech field extends beyond the classroom and corporate labs, and into the boardroom as well.

According to a recent study conducted by Catalyst, a nonprofit advisory group that works for the advancement of women in industry, there are even fewer women today at the highest ranks of high tech than there have been in years past. Women account for almost 16% of corporate officers in all Fortune 500 companies. Among Fortune 500 companies in the high tech industry, however, that number is only 11%.

Still, who cares? Does it matter if we only have a Bill Gates, but no Belinda Gates, in our future?

It should matter to all of us who care about our nation's ability to compete in an increasingly global marketplace. Today, information technology has become ubiquitous and competition is stiffer than ever. Bigger and faster, speeds and feeds traditionally produced by engineering-centric business models no longer save the day. Now, customers are demanding more personalized, intuitive technologies - something woman are particularly good at creating.



Growth Through High Tech Marketing

Another study conducted by the Center for Women's Business Research showed that women-owned businesses generating a million dollars or more in revenue distinguish themselves through their use of sophisticated financial management practices and (here's the most important part for those in IT) innovative utilization of technology.

They are more likely to say that the Internet and e-commerce play an important role in their businesses growth strategy and more than 56% of these firms use their web site for electronic commerce and customer service.

If industry is to take full advantage of what women bring to the tech party, we had best begin working on two fronts.

First, parents, educators and executives must begin to break their own stereotypes of what is and what is not an appropriate career path for young women. We must foster children's natural curiosity for math and science. In the case of young women, we must encourage them to continue that curiosity beyond middle school and until the time they land their first professional job.

Second, we must dispel the myth that the 24/7 demands of technology or science oriented careers are incompatible with the goals of raising a family or starting a business.



The Next Generation

Those women in the technology industry share an extra burden. They must serve as guides and mentors to young women and help them to build their skills and confidence. Fortunately, there are already a number of organizations in the private and public sectors that are dedicated to increasing their opportunities, enabling them to imagine a future in IT.

Locally there is Computer Mania day - the CWIT at UMBC event that invites 500 middle school girls, their parents and teachers to examine the numerous careers that make use of information technology; and Women in Technology, the Northern Virginia-based organization focused on providing professional development to women already in the industry.

Nationally, there are organizations such as the Woman in Engineering Programs and Advocates Network which has provided financial support and mentoring to female graduate students in the fields of science and engineering for more than 31 years.

As a business leader, perhaps it's time for you to ask what you too can do to help women find their way in science and technology. It will be good for them and good for you.



Jennifer Jones is a vice president of sales for AT&T Business Services in the mid-Atlantic region. For more information about this topic, contact Lydia Rodriguez, director of public relations, at 202-457-2015 or lrrodriguez@att.com.



The Center for Women and Information Technology (CWIT) at UMBC is dedicated to providing global leadership in achieving women's full participation in all aspects of information technology. For more information, call Bria McElroy at 410-455-8642.