Women highlight benefits & challenges of working in tech

There are five main things that would encourage women to embark on a career in technology: an inclusive culture, flexible working policies, progression opportunities, mentorship programmes, and equal pay.

That's according to a recent Women in Tech Survey Report 2019, conducted by Ivanti and compiled by a cybersecurity company called Specops Software. The survey polled 500 women across the globe on some of the potential benefits and challenges of moving through the tech industry.

According to the report, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki is the most recognisable woman in the tech industry, followed by former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer and former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and computer scientist Dr Sue Black.

"Wojcicki helped make Google the successful platform it is today, and her decision to purchase YouTube in 2006 has proven to be a great business decision as the platform is said to have US$15 billion in annual revenues," Specops Software states.

When asked what the biggest challenges respondents face as a woman in technology, the most common response was 'being taken seriously due to gender perception', with 53.8% of women stating it was a challenge.

Other challenges include the gender pay gap, the glass ceiling, a lack of female role models, sexism in the workplace, a lack of diversity within their company and their teams, and a lack of career opportunities as a part time employee.

Specops Software CTO Lori Osterholm comments, "Young women starting their careers in technology have already overcome numerous hurdles, stereotypes and generalisations. My advice is to continue being true to yourself. You don't need to change to be accepted and you'll earn respect for your accomplishments.

Reboot Digital Marketing Agency creative director Abby Chinery adds that women often feel like they suffer from 'imposter syndrome', particularly in fields largely dominated by men.

"However, women around the world have been able to bring a new perspective to the tech industry, and their skills and experience are just as valuable when they feel comfortable enough to impose them. Studies like this can help bring confidence to women who do not feel their opinion matters to the tech industry.

Study highlights:

• While 'being taken seriously due to gender perception' remains the biggest challenge women in tech face, there has been a 14.6% decrease in women experiencing this issue (2018 to 2019.)
• 27.1% of women said the 'glass ceiling' is worse now than ever before.
• 'Equal pay and benefits' is what 63.7% of women would like from their ideal job in tech.
• Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube, tops the list as the most recognisable woman in the tech industry.