Gender equality in the workplace has been a well-publicized societal issue for decades. While some areas of the workforce are seeing an equalization between men and women, there is one field where women are woefully underrepresented.
Monica Eaton recently sat down with John Barbanbas to discuss the shortage of female involvement in the tech industry.
Current Barriers to Success
During her 20 minute conversation with Barbanbas, Eaton-Cardone pointed out several issues that are creating barriers to success among women in the IT field.
Women Don’t Understand the Opportunities Available
Eaton-Cardone points out that most women are unaware of what is really involved in technology jobs. She mentions women don’t feel welcome, assuming the industry is filled with a bunch of geeks in front of computers. Fortunately, perception is not reality.
Thinking outside the box, being creative, and solving problems are just some of the tasks required by women in the industry. Additionally, Eaton-Cardone points to the flexibility of the industry, which dovetails into women’s goals of creating families and fulfilling larger purposes.
Women Aren’t Interested
Because women’s perceptions are skewed, they aren’t eager to seek out technical jobs. However, the very things that discourage women from initially seeking out a career in technology are the things that should be most appealing.
Women may feel they don’t belong in a mostly male dominated career. However, the new, evolving technologies naturally appeal to the creative sense of women. Women can bring new ideas and creativity to the industry predominately controlled by male opinions.
Women Aren’t as Confident in Their Abilities
While discussing pay inequality, Eaton-Cardone pointed out the fact that the people who make the most money are the ones who produce the most for the company.
Men and women might contribute equally, but women lack the confidence to draw attention to their contributions. They need someone to speak up on their behalf.
Eaton-Cardone encourages women to promote themselves, let other know they are doing a good job, and don’t wait until someone else notices their contributions.
Effectuating Future Change
Not only does Eaton-Cardone encourage women to empower themselves, she also has ideas for changes within the industry.
When asked what it takes to boost management’s awareness of the issue of gender in the workplace and motivate women to take an interest, Eaton-Cardone had several suggestions.
- Groom team dynamics
- Create equal opportunities
- Ensure production targets are outlined
- Provide mentorship programs
- Remember human intelligence is a very valuable asset
- Challenge what you thought was best
- Consider a new perspective
As a member of the female IT minority, Monica Eaton appreciates the influential position she holds and opportunities like these to advocate for other women in the workforce.
