Revolution and Evolution: It’s About Time Women Have Their Place in the Tech World

To people who are not into the technology sector, everyone in technology is a "techie", but the definition of this word for an insider is much different. To them, a "techie" is a person who can write code. What does this have to do with women in technology? While some rightfully argue that there aren't many people in technology, the reality is, women are present in the tech world but not as techies. In contrast, all the top men in the tech world have software engineering backgrounds, including Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, and Robin Li.

This is where the difference lies. Employers are not as quick to hire female coders as male coders. Technology is an interesting and rapidly growing sector. Gender aside, everyone wants to be a part of the tech community and contribute to innovations. Not just as coders, technology contains a lot of important tasks to be done and women should be given a fair chance to showcase their skills. Expertise in online business models, digital marketing, e-commerce, new media, social media strategy, gadgets, and IT infrastructure are all essential functions of the tech industry.

Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg and HP's Meg Whitman are inspiring women leaders of the tech world, but is that where the tech world draws the line? Sure there are other roles where women can have an opportunity to work, right? There are two possible solutions for a future that is inclusive of women in tech. First, the management. An easy way for organizations to encourage more women into tech and STEM fields is by hiring female management who can set examples. Having women in leadership and managerial roles doesn't just invite more workforce, but also puts a different viewpoint on the table in crucial business discussions. Secondly, women need to strengthen their corporate portfolios.

Let's be honest, no one is going to hand over the opportunity for your dream job. So instead of worrying about the lack of chance, it's best to be a step ahead and create a voice that is heard far and wide. Do you want to code? Sure, go ahead and take up several projects that will prove your coding skills. Why not write something for yourself and display it to the world online? Do you want to become a data scientist? Make a strong portfolio that will demonstrate your skills like data cleaning, data visualizing, and time efficiency. A part of the problem will be solved if more women come forward to represent themselves to the world.

This is a discussion that is taking place for a few years now. Organizations need to understand that hiring a workforce that is a combination of men and women is not only ideal for publicity but is also a way to lead and shape the industry. Having more perspectives on the table is good for overall innovation, timely decisions, right insights, and honest feedback.