Where are the Women in Tech?

Thanks to online branding, viral marketing and social media, the technology field is booming. Unfortunately, few women launch tech start-ups or join tech companies.

The reasons vary from not enough mentors to gender roles imposed at a young age. Women held only 10 percent of corporate officer positions at Fortune 500 technology companies last year, and the number of women pursuing technology degrees has been declining since the ’80s. Men hold 73 percent of all science and engineering jobs.

“One of the main causes of this decline is that we don’t talk enough about how rewarding it is to study and work in [technology],” Jeanne Rosario, VP and General Manager of Engineering of GE Aviation, tells PINK. “We need programs that promote science and engineering as an exciting and dynamic area of study. If we arm the next generation with that knowledge, I think you’ll see a spike in women choosing to enter and remain in technology-focused careers.”

Few women with tech degrees stick with it, due to factors like outsourcing, inhospitable work environments and lack of female mentors or role models. The good news? Organizations like Women in Technology and NCWIT jumpstart careers by providing resources, alliances and outreach programs.

Some of today’s biggest technology companies were actually co-founded by women, like Flickr, Blogger and Mozilla. Researchers say joining networking groups, speaking out against unconscious bias and maintaining staff diversity will help women grow in the tech field.

Bonus PINK Link: Why stay on top of constantly evolving technology? It can benefit your business.

By Megan Hylton

“Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can’t see where it keeps its brain.” J.K. Rowling