Why It’s Important to Get More Women Coding
Prior to us going over the list, I’d like to go over why it’s so crucial to supply independent areas and chances for women to learn coding.
Studies indicate that developing coding skills can be an advantageous option for women. Almost all (91%) of female tech workers proclaim that they are content with the profession they have chosen, even with the many difficulties that often arise from operating in an overwhelmingly male industry.
The number of female coders is gradually increasing, and women now compose almost a quarter of today’s technical groups. Evidently, there is a lot of scope for this number to increase!
Encouraging female participation in coding is significant from a global perspective. Quite simply, diversity is good for business. Having a wide range of individuals from different backgrounds in a tech team (especially in terms of gender, ethnicity, and age) could result in better product invention. Female coding experts can construct products targeting women that would most likely not be developed without them, given that women make up half of the target audience for many products.
In addition, women tend to have an alternate perspective, allowing them to brainstorm innovative solutions to difficulties. Elizabeth Tweedale, the CEO and founder of Cypher Coders, pointed out the diverse methods of solving problems, noting that men typically tend to tackle a problem in a straightforward, step-by-step manner; while women usually begin by analyzing the issue first and then proceeding in reverse.
Having a range of viewpoints is especially relevant nowadays since AI and machine learning technology is making decisions for us more and more often. Humans provide computers with knowledge, and if the instructor solely consists of males, the results will be biased.
We need to implement various modifications in order to get more female representation in the tech industry. The initial action is to make coding computer software more open to women. And that’s where this list comes in.
Why Should Women Get Into IT?
There is a huge amount of prospects available for those in the IT area, but especially for women in information technology, which is not only due to the lack of female workers in the area.
Massive Earnings Potential
According to the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that the occupational field of computer and information technology will expand by 13 percent from the period of 2020 to 2030, resulting in a total of 667,600 brand new positions. The salary for these jobs is around the halfway point of $97,430, which is more compared to the median salary of all jobs, which is $45,760.
Constantly Evolving Projects
Think beyond the monetary rewards and instead ponder the possibilities that can be realised through technological advancement. Females who are employed in information technology have the opportunity to utilize the cutting-edge apparatus, and consequently are rarely uninterested since new services and developments constantly emerge. There is always something new to learn.
Work Anywhere
Working in IT is also a completely portable career. A woman can achieve professional success and open a wide range of opportunities for her career path by possessing the right abilities. This can mean creating programs that have a significant impact on people’s lives, or founding an enterprise of her own. Some IT careers are also remote positions, offering flexibility.
Types of Challenges Women Face in the Tech Industry
Let’s be frank; there are difficulties for females in the tech business. It can be hard to succeed in an industry that is primarily made up of men, which can result in being isolated from others, bias, and a dearth of encouragement from family members and associates.
The “Bro Culture”
Due to the limited number of women employed in the tech industry, 71% of them have experienced the negative atmosphere present at companies with a so-called “bro culture.” While not all tech businesses have such bad conduct, there have been instances of licentious humor and objectionable comments being used in this kind of atmosphere.
Harassment
Unfortunately, sexual harassment is still prevalent in places of work. Approximately 60% of female workers in the information technology industry have experience with unwanted sexual advances from their male superiors or colleagues. It is astonishing that 65% of those advancements come from their managers or superiors.
Inequality and Discrimination
Additionally, there tends to still be inequality and discrimination. Men may receive more advantageous promotions and networking opportunities than women. Female employees may earn less than their male colleagues in terms of salary. In the end, it appears that the adage about needing to put in double the effort to establish one’s worth holds true.
Lack of Support
Women working in the IT industry note that they lack backing from their colleagues, as well as family and friends.
How to Overcome Challenges and Thrive as a Woman in IT
In spite of existing prejudice against females, it can still be overcome, as evidenced by prominent women like Mae Jemison and Margaret Hamilton, a stellar figure in the field of computer science and a NAS employee. Female professionals in the information technology sector can conquer obstacles they may encounter and be successful in their field.
Discrimination and Harassment
Nowadays, employers are more inclined to take action against any form of discrimination or harassment when they are alerted to its occurrence. For women in IT who are subjugated to this, the best action to take is to notify their supervisor or HR department.
Firms should also inform their staff about any and all forms of bias and mistreatment, as well as how to handle such circumstances. For instance, they can give instruction about what is considered sexual harassment. The personnel should demonstrate to the organization by extensively honoring all personnel, giving advancements and possibilities in view of their value, and having adaptable approaches that let workers, of any sexuality or conjugal status, have the capacity to deal with duties away from their employment.
Fitting in with Peers
It’s evident that there will be difficulty for women to penetrate a sector that is controlled by men, and they may feel like outsiders. Fortunately, not all firms comprise of only male-dominated teams. Numerous organizations are actively attempting to create a variety of teams. For females working in the tech industry, it is of paramount importance that they are able to identify companies whose values match their own aspirations. Many firms are now based on merits, so staying updated with the latest developments in technology and boosting your abilities will help one to be accepted by their colleagues.
Getting Support
It is essential for females to stay connected with family and acquaintances to acquire assistance as they search through the data technology sector. Engaging in active listening, allotting family and individual time, and exhibiting respect and gratitude to all involved can greatly aid in comprehending why their industry is so critical.
Why IT Needs More Women
IT needs more women. The industry is expanding rapidly, and employers are having a hard time locating skilled personnel. We need more people in technology, period. Employers have the ability to generate assorted teams and enhance successful firms by having additional female personnel in the IT sector. One of the most critical aspects of success is the inclusion of women, as it leads to more innovation and creative solutions. Research has discovered that females are generally more compassionate than men–leading to them gaining more engagement from the quiet team members or looking at an issue from a patron’s viewpoint that a male engineer may not take into account. More women also mean more profits. An examination conducted by McKinsey concluded that firms that had a more extensive mix of genders contributing to their executive boards had a quarter greater potential of achieving increased gains than the standard. Furthermore, with more female presence in the IT industry, there will be less instances of sexual harassment and uneasiness, resulting in a more even distribution of men and women. Visualize a group of software engineers who more accurately reflect the general population. There could be more camaraderie and understanding.
Giving more accurate portrayals of diverse groups in the media could result in less prejudice and improved relationships between family and friends. It would not be extraordinary to observe a female leading a squad of cybersecurity experts. It would urge young girls to pursue their tech aspirations.
Intensive Coding Bootcamps for Women
1) Ada Developers Academy
Ada is a educational program that extends over 11 months, created especially for women and gender diverse adults. The first half a year is spent in a traditional Monday through Friday classroom atmosphere (or online instruction), with the remaining five months including hands-on experience.
This coding bootcamp for females, which is funded by numerous well-known backers such as Amazon, Zillow, EMC, etc., offers a great opportunity. At Ada, you will be taught Ruby, Rails, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Web APIs, basic computer science principles, Git, and how to use Source Control.
Take into account that, even though it is a no-cost program, you will still need to cover your everyday costs plus any relocation costs if relocating to either Seattle or Atlanta from another city. If you do not wish to go somewhere or relocate, there is an option to do it virtually or remotely. Engaging in this activity might provide you with a potential pathway to following a career in one of the premiere tech hubs in America!
2) Hackbright Academy
Hackbright Academy is a San Francisco based bootcamp reserved exclusively for women seeking to hone their coding skills. They offer instruction in Python, with a range of options available that include part-time, full-time, in-person, and online instruction. Hackbright provides a part-time evening and weekend program that can give females a preview of the coding experience before committing to the Software Engineering Program.
The Hackbright women’s coding bootcamp comes with a high price tag. Hackbright is one of the costliest options available for women who are interested in coding.
3) Skillcrush
Skillcrush provides digital education for women coders and other learners.
They offer two types of courses. The first are three-month-long courses focused on specific skills. The other is an all-inclusive 6-12 month program. You have the option to enrol to attend their complimentary 10-day bootcamp.
Skillcrush isn’t limited to female coders. Their goal is to enable people with diverse nationalities and genders to gain strength. Women represent the majority of the student body in Skillcrush, but individuals of a variety of backgrounds and lifestyles also participate — people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, non-college educated parents, and so on. Interestingly, 21% of Skillcrush students identify as LGBTQ+.
4) The Grace Hopper Program at Fullstack Academy
Fullstack Academy offers a complete software engineering course tailored to the needs of female-identifying participants (including transgender, genderqueer and those outside of the gender binary). This program is called the Grace Hopper Program. Find out additional information concerning this matter through my discussion with Seema Gururaj, the director.
One can request to join the program at any moment, however the procedures for admission to this coding course or boot camp are more demanding than other options available. You must go through the entrance procedure by submitting a computer coding test on the internet and engaging in a virtual discussion with a software engineer to see if you are suitable.
It is imperative to understand that the immersive female-focused coding bootcamp is not intended for individuals who have absolutely no experience. Pupils ought to have a grasp on the foundation of coding which includes loops, conditionals, arrays, objects, and functions.
Comprehensive List of IT Jobs and Career Options
There are lots of choices accessible for females needing to start a professional life in information technology. Women are able to pursue lucrative and ascending professions like data analysis, cybersecurity, and user experience design. A lot of job opportunities necessitate having a bachelor’s degree or equivalent training, and a few necessitate special qualifications.
Information Security Analysts
Since large-scale data hacks are costing companies a fortune, there is much demand for specialized information security experts. These professionals are in charge of watching networks for any unauthorised access, looking into instances of violations, assessing system flaws, installing software to shield data, noting malicious intrusions, devising policies and instructions for warding off attacks, and devising proposals for boosting the company’s security.
For women in the technology sector, information security is a financially rewarding career choice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the yearly wage to be around $99,730. It is foreseen that the industry will increase by 32% in a span of 10 years. A bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to computers, like computer science, is mandatory if you want to become an information security analyst. Plus, it can be beneficial if you’ve had hands-on experience, like an internship. Some information security analysts may also pursue outside certifications.
Data Analysts
Companies acquire and employ huge amounts of data and require experts who can interpret the data and provide useful advice. The job of a data analyst has an annual income of around $62,435 and is forecasted to boom by 16% over the coming decade. Some of the positions a data analyst can hold are:
- Budget analyst
- Market research analyst
- Operations research analyst
- Logistics analyst
- Computer systems analyst
- Financial analyst
Computer Network Architects
Creating and constructing data transfer systems including local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs) is just one task a computer network architect is responsible for. They update their hardware and software, guarantee data security, and continually monitor emerging networking technologies. The typical yearly salary is $112,690, and positions are anticipated to expand by 5% over the next decade.
Computer network architects usually possess a four-year college diploma in a computer-connected domain and commit approximately forty hours every week to their job. Some also hold specialized certifications.
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