Learning through effective training
To enable career progression, there must be access to training programmes to help women move up the career ladder. “According to our research, we found that even women on software teams, who think that AI technologies are important, are still less likely to be upskilling in AI than men,” highlights Dr Cat Hicks, VP of Research Insights at software company Pluralsight. “While there are probably multiple reasons for this, previous research suggests one important reason may be that women feel less supported in the workplace to take explicit time to learn and fear more harsh and unfair judgments from others.”
Lindsey Rowe, Head of Purpose Programmes & Sustainability GTM at SAP UK&I, notes that heading to university can be an invaluable experience, but it’s important to remember that this is not the only path for women and girls considering a career in STEM. “Many programmes, including our newly launched Apprenticeship Scheme, do not require a degree and instead offer the opportunity to gain hands-on, real-life experience within a range of disciplines in the technology industry.”
Flexibility promoting work-life balance
The changing world has had an impact too. The introduction of work-from-home policies means employees are no longer chained to a desk and can adjust their working hours. This has, in many ways, benefitted female employees.
Fiz Yazdi, Head of Consulting UK at European consulting leader Sopra Steria, shares, “I’ve spent my whole career working part-time so I can manage a chronic health condition and have felt the positive impact flexible working has on my wellbeing and productivity, alongside the space and opportunities it creates for those around me. Leaders need to recognise the value of each team member, distributing responsibilities and encouraging a collaborative environment. Organisations that truly understand and respond positively to the issues women face, are also able to create an environment and culture where everyone can pursue their career aspirations and be successful.”
Showcasing a flexible company culture enables businesses to become more diverse with their workforce, which can lead to better business outcomes according to Brigette McInnis-Day, CPO at UiPath. “Providing women with greater opportunities to start and expand their careers is vitally important, particularly with skills shortages in fields like AI and regions worldwide where ageing populations are shrinking the workforce. We need to think and act differently.”
Breaking the glass ceiling
International Women’s Day highlights the achievements of women, celebrating those who have broken the glass ceiling. Pam Maynard, CEO of professional services company Avanade, recalls experiences where she felt unheard in meetings and didn’t have the space to share ideas. “Thanks to the advocacy and allyship from my manager, I was able to carve out space to showcase my ideas, which ultimately set me on the path to where I am today. That experience shaped who I am as a leader, and I feel a deep responsibility to foster a culture of advocacy across my teams.”
Eduarda Camacho, COO of information security company CyberArk, echoes this sentiment, saying, “In my first interview to work for a US tech company I was told that - although my experience was great - being a foreign woman without a background in engineering would limit my potential. However, I was determined to push back against those stereotypes to ensure they wouldn’t hinder my success.”
Cybersecurity industry faces a lack of representation
As explained by Cristina Gonzalez Pitarch, Managing Director EMEA at Google Cloud Security, a lack of representation can make it difficult for women to envision themselves in technology roles. “In the UK, women make up only 17% of the total cyber sector workforce, and a lack of representation can make it more difficult for women to envision themselves in these roles. And this starts at a young age, with less girls encouraged to study computer science or IT subjects. However, cybersecurity doesn’t only require technical profiles.
"It’s really easy to think of cybersecurity as taking place in a dark room with a lot of men in hoodies hunched over laptops. But the industry is still a relatively new sector and there is so much opportunity and areas of growth that need different skills and perspectives.
"My background isn’t technical, for example. I’m actually trained in law, but I’ve found that my skill set has enabled me to approach things with a fresh perspective and see problems or solutions that maybe my peers might have missed. Cybersecurity is a growing sector, and there’s a demand for all kinds of people. We need to encourage more women from different backgrounds to explore and pursue careers in cybersecurity, because their unique perspectives can significantly contribute to building a more secure and resilient future for everyone."
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