By silicon.com, 18 May 2006 11:55
There is much hand-wringing about why there are fewer women than men working in the IT industry.
Initiatives such as Computer Clubs for Girls (CC4G) aim to introduce girls to technology by stealth, using teen-friendly topics such as fashion and celebrity as a cover for teaching them about IT.
It's a good way of showing them that technology doesn't have to be nerdy or obscure but rather a useful tool for the things they're already interested in. The aim is to give girls more confidence in their technology skills so they are more willing to consider a career in IT later on.
But should we simply be persuading girls to take up jobs in this male-oriented industry?
Or should we perhaps be looking at the reasons why girls don't want to go into the industry in the first place?
According to some recent research, girls are more likely to use mobile and internet services than boys. The only digital media more likely to be used by boys than girls is games consoles.
So they don't seem to be scared of technology - as the success of CC4G in recruiting members also suggests. They just don't find IT jobs appealing.
The image of IT is undoubtedly part of the problem - the socks and sandals brigade don't help with this (and we all know that image isn't just a cliché).
Thus the scheme isn't the best introduction to a job in IT - many of the girls in CC4G might use IT as part of a pop music project but most - if not all - of the real jobs in IT don't have that exciting upside.
In fact, that's something employers often complain about - that the IT people are too divorced from the business they work for.Management gurus are always telling us that IT needs to align better with the business, and they are right - perhaps even down to the level of individual jobs.
Maybe girls are spotting this disconnect and that's what they don't find IT attractive. Perhaps the industry's energies would be better spent making IT jobs more compelling than simply attempting to attract women into jobs they - and their male colleagues - may not like.
Comments
There are 3 comments. Join the discussion
1. IT Guy
It has been my experience that IT techies stick to the techie stuff for carreer advancement and survivability. Acquiring site centric skills only does one well at that site, which is great if one never plans on working anywhere else or getting laid off. However, if the business suffers a financial loss, IT is usually the first to get cut. Having skills you can take with you will keep you employed. Of course, this is a complex topic. Considering the other side of the coin. If IT were more involved in the business side of the house, then perhaps IT would have a greater percieved value and less liklyhood getting cut back in lean times.
2. Stuart Vine
The disconnect between business and IT is often a two way thing. Firstly IT is usually regarded as a cost, not a potential profit centre. Secondly, many senior managers don't involve the IT staff in any other parts of the business, so they may not really know what is happening in the business as a whole. Then there's always being hidden in the basement....
3. Spudgun
In my experience of working in the IT world, IT bods and boddesses are seen by management as the people that turn up to fix their email and never see (or wish to see) the work that goes on behind the scenes that run their business. Being tucked away in an extremely noisy server room with air that dries your skin and the lack of daylight all your life does lack glamour, so i'm not surprised girls aren't interested in working in this environment.