Empowering Women in Tech: Breaking Stereotypes and Building Futures
The technology industry, long dominated by men, is witnessing a transformative wave as more women break into this dynamic field. However, despite significant progress, women still make up a smaller percentage of the tech workforce. Recent data suggests that only about 25% of tech roles are filled by women, highlighting both the strides made and the challenges that persist. As the field evolves, it's crucial to address the unique hurdles women face and celebrate their contributions to innovation and diversity in tech.
One of the main challenges women encounter in tech is the widespread gender bias. This bias often manifests in various forms, from assumptions about technical competencies to the persistent gender pay gap. Despite these obstacles, women continue to make remarkable contributions, proving that the tech industry thrives on diversity and inclusion.
Introduction
As we gear up for the Women in Science, Technology & AI event, we're proud to spotlight two inspiring women from Megrez. Meet Evelyn, an AI software engineer, and Janice, a developer specialising in web development. We delved into their experiences as women navigating the tech industry, exploring the unique challenges and opportunities they encounter. We asked them three key questions. First, how does it feel to be a woman in science and technology? Second, what challenges have you faced in this male-dominated industry, and how does it feel? Third, what misconceptions do you think exist about women in your field? We also allowed them the opportunity to speak freely and share any additional thoughts. In the following sections, we'll delve into their perspectives as women in science and technology.
Evelyn's Perspective
In the interview, Evelyn describes her journey as both empowering and awe-inspiring, particularly because of the growing number of inspiring women leading advancements in AI and health care. She acknowledges the substantial progress achieved over recent decades and expresses gratitude in this quote here: "We also have a lot of male allies who support and acknowledge a lot of what we do and who understand the limitations and then they assist in their own way and they're conscious of the differences and issues." She acknowledges that the journey to true equality continues, and Evelyn remains optimistic about the strides being made in the last couple of decades.
With the second question, Evelyn addresses the challenges in her field. She emphasises at the start of the video the acknowledgement of all the other women who have protected and supported her career, also receiving the same support from the male allies who advocate for higher standards among their peers. She candidly discusses the persistent tension and scepticism faced by women, often necessitating that they need to exceed expectations to achieve the same recognition and trust from others. She quoted: "On top of that, we(women) have to regulate our behaviour. And oftentimes when we severely regulate it, it's in exchange for giving up certain opportunities to that end." She expresses how appreciative she is that her lab environment is a safe and supportive space, where skills are valued over gender, crediting her PI for fostering an unbiased culture of excellence. Being recognised purely for her skill and ability, rather than her gender, is refreshing.
Evelyn also addressed the common misconceptions about women in technical fields, questioning the fact that women can't be women while working in a technically complex field. She highlights that feminity and technical expertise can harmoniously coexist. She challenges the stereotypes that suggest women must conform to certain moulds to succeed in AI or other complex areas, asserting that one can pursue a PhD in AI while embracing traditionally feminine traits like wearing dresses.
Concluding the interview, Eve expresses how she is very eager to contribute to organising WISTA and is exhilarated to meet and engage with accomplished women like Cecilia Laschi, Provost's Chair Professor of Robotics Director as a keynote speaker, along with professionals from American KMPG. Evelyn looks forward to meeting them and learning from these exceptional women coming down to the WISTA event and meeting more women in this space.
Janice's Perspective
Janice, a web designer at Megrez, offers an insightful glimpse into the experiences of women in tech. Her story reflects both the excitement and the challenges that come with being a woman in this field.
When we posed the initial question, she humorously replied and compared herself to a rare Pokemon. "people are impressed when they find out I'm a developer," she shared, highlighting that it's also just as exciting to meet other women in the tech field. She also expresses a desire for normalcy, suggesting that it would be nice to be an ordinary Pokémon.
When asked about the challenges she encounters as a woman in a male-dominated industry, She expressed gratitude for the support she received from her bosses and colleagues. She did not face a lot of gender-based discrimination in her workplace and instead found encouragement and support. She does point out that there is a lack of relatable role models in tech, especially in the media. Most of the female characters that are in tech are portrayed as prodigies like Felicity Smoak; From the Arrowverse franchise by CW or Shuri from Marvel's Black Panther. This contrasts with the portrayal of "tech guys" in the media, where they are often depicted as ordinary individuals. Similar to Evelyn's experience, it appears that women often encounter gender barriers, requiring them to excel significantly beyond their male counterparts to achieve equal recognition. She notes that the lack of representation is disheartening as it subtly indicates a limited path to success for regular women like her who stumbled into tech later in life.
Janice tackled misconceptions about women in tech, noting that people are often surprised to learn she is a developer. She distinctly recognises that there is a certain stereotype about coders that the public has and she does not fit into that moulded identity that has been depicted. While design thinking is undeniably vital in software development, she emphasizes that she should not be stereotyped as nerdy or awkward. A big part of the job is also knowing how to talk to machines, as it is also crucial to understand people. Quoting B.J. Fogg, "Many thousands of people can write code. But only a relative few can get the psychology right." Moreover, women should not be typecasted as designers merely because they dress well.
As we wrapped up her interview, she emphasised the importance of technological literacy. She encourages everyone including women that they should engage with technology beyond the basics. She says; "Every facet of our lives is rapidly getting digitalized. Even if you're not planning to go into tech, it is necessary to develop technological literacy to protect yourself in this highly digital environment." She also expresses that whilst introducing herself, especially to other women, they would often assume that she must be really smart. Janice tells us that while talent provides an initial advantage, patience, determination, tenacity, and domain knowledge will take you further as a developer, as these can be developed. "Moreover, intelligence is not fixed. The more you learn, the easier learning becomes."
In conclusion, Janice provides a thoughtful perspective on the intersection of technology and human understanding. Her perspectives challenge the common stereotypes associated with women in tech, urging individuals to appreciate the diverse skills required in software development, beyond mere coding. Janice's advocacy for technological literacy highlights the necessity of engaging deeply with the digital world, ensuring one's security and adaptability. Her journey shows that success in this field is less about inherent intelligence and more about persistence, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning. By sharing her experiences, we hope to inspire others, especially women, to embrace technology without fear and recognise their potential to contribute meaningfully to this dynamic industry.
Conclusion
Evelyn and Janice offer compelling perspectives into the changing landscape for women in tech, highlighting noteworthy parallels in their perspectives. Evelyn’s experiences highlight how essential support networks and mentorship are in the ongoing fight against gender biases in the industry. Janice's experience underscores the progress we've achieved while also pointing out areas needing improvement, such as the need for more regular representation of female coders in the media. The WISTA event serves as a valuable platform for women from diverse backgrounds to connect, share experiences, and build supportive networks to dismantle barriers. This gathering demonstrates the power of collaboration and our collective journey toward a more inclusive tech industry.
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