Women In Tech: Gender Bias And Tips To Beat The Odds

A significant portion of people who choose to enter into the technology field are drawn to it because they want to make things better for other people, or at least like what they currently have access to.

But there is another reason why many individuals pursue careers in tech — money! As society becomes more dependent on advanced technology every day, those with professional tech skills are in high demand.

However, aside from how much money you’ll earn as a technologist, there is one major disadvantage that comes along with this career — gender bias.

Gender bias exists when there are systematic differences in treatment towards members of one group over another due to preconceived notions about the way their behavior should be.

In the case of women in tech, studies show that men are given higher priority than women when it comes to hiring, promotion, and opportunities.

Tech companies may put more emphasis on qualities such as confidence, assertiveness, and leadership rather than communication and collaboration skills which are considered “female traits.”

These biases can create an environment where talented female employees feel discouraged from trying out new techniques or strategies since they're not being rewarded for them.

It also puts pressure on women in technical roles to try and match these standards instead of developing theirs.

Disclaimer: The content in this article will focus on internalized sexism, not externalized misogyny (violence against women). However, both types of inequality are harmful and should be fought against.

Listen closely

As mentioned earlier, there are many things that can contribute to gender bias in tech. People who work in technology fields may hold subconscious biases against other people or groups of people based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or gender.

These prejudices often go unnoticed until someone points them out. When you’re working with members of the public, it is important to listen very carefully to what they have to say. If you notice comments about racial or ethnic minorities, don’t agree unless asked directly!

If you hear something that makes you uncomfortable, try your best to determine whether this is just ignorance or if there is some kind of underlying prejudice at play.

By being aware of these potential issues, you will be better prepared to help avoid any possible conflicts or negative experiences for both parties involved.

Be confident

 

As we mentioned before, being part of the tech community means there are always people around you that speak highly of it. If you don’t feel comfortable in your surroundings, stay outside the conversation for someone else or go find another group.

Being part of the community also means there will be times when no one is talking about something and everyone seems to agree with everything said. That’s totally normal!

It can be tough at first if you aren’t really involved in the technology field, but don’t worry — this is a great time to start exploring things! There are so many ways to get into tech these days, from teaching yourself HTML through YouTube tutorials to taking some computer science courses.

There are even lots of online communities where you can join and learn together! Try searching “tech groups near me” on Google to find ones close by.

Once you have mastered that, you can come back and explore other areas of technology too. For example, reading blogs, listening to podcasts, watching videos, and looking up tips and tricks on how to use social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook.

And while all men may not understand why women sometimes feel excluded or discouraged when trying to break into an area that was previously dominated only by men, they do need to know that it's not their fault!

That's just how things work out sometimes.

Do not be sexist

As mentioned before, there are many ways that gender bias can influence how people perceive technology. Being able to recognize these biases and potential changes for positive is your chance to help others feel more comfortable with tech.

By being aware of societal norms around what sorts of jobs are considered "feminine" or "masculine," you will know what types of behaviors are viewed as masculine and which ones are seen as feminine.

This includes things such as: doing technical tasks, talking about math or science concepts, asking questions, etc. It also includes wearing clothes that are appropriate for an office setting (no sweatshirts while everyone else has jeans).

By showing up to events dressed in professional attire, you send a message to attendees that this event is important and they should take time from their day to attend. You also show respect for the organizers by attending with appropriate clothing.

Do not rely on your gender

As I mentioned earlier, technology is an ever-evolving field that requires you to keep up with what’s new and cool. This can be tricky when there are so many different types of tech out there!

It seems like every week we read about another company or individual accused of perpetuating sexist workplace cultures or engaging in discriminatory practices. A few days later, we learn about how these same companies are using overly masculine language to describe their products or marketing strategies.

Does this make you feel discouraged from working at one of these companies? Or do you think it’s unfair to put the blame solely on those employers?

You may be more inclined to avoid certain companies due to the stigma surrounding them, but that could hurt your career. After all, if you really want to rise through the ranks at a firm, talking negatively about the organization will only hinder your chances.

And for employees who have been exposed to unhealthy environments, avoiding such positions is very important to their mental health.

So while it may be tempting to look away from industries that seem to have a bad reputation, don’t. Instead, try looking beyond your own personal biases and limitations. And for heaven’s sake, use common sense.

Be a good leader

Being a great leader is more than just offering your team members coffee or telling them how hard they’re working. It is demonstrating that they are important to you, encouraging their growth, supporting them as they grow into leaders, and creating an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves and asking questions.

This doesn’t mean giving permission for bad behavior, but it does mean making space for others to be self-confident and assertive. A strong leadership style in tech can include having conversations about things like gender bias, diversity, and inclusion – not because these things make you look good, but because it’s the right thing to do.

It will help create a culture where everyone feels safe bringing up such topics and addressing any underlying biases. At the very least, this will reduce harassment and discrimination in the workplace.

Tech companies with vibrant communities and cultures promote an open exchange of ideas and opportunities for anyone. This helps shape diverse teams that work well together and encourages individuals to come out as non-binary, bisexual, gay, or otherwise excluded at work.

By actively promoting diversity and equality, employers send a message to those outside the industry that it values all types. People choose to go into technology from different backgrounds and with varying levels of experience, so why should we limit opportunities for someone because of their family status, financial situation, or personal beliefs?

As a leader in our field, you have a responsibility to set an example.

Give reassurance

Even if you’re not sure whether there are more men or women in your field, it doesn’t matter!

What matters is that everyone in your field should feel comfortable coming to you for help and advice.

If they don’t then it can hurt their confidence and may even discourage them from seeking your expertise.

That would be bad for you, as well as them.

So make sure anyone who asks for your input feels welcome and loved — and give them some tips how to succeed like you do!

Reassure people that they are just as capable of tech as any man, with or without technical training.

Give them lots of practical things they can do to get closer to tech including experimenting with coding, using technology everyday, and reading about new developments.

Doesn’t matter what level either gender has of tech knowledge – anything from looking at the internet for information to doing basic computer tasks like browsing websites is enough to set someone else up for success.

Be consistent

Consistency is one of the most important things for women in tech to understand. You need to be persistent when creating opportunities, promoting yourself, and encouraging others to invest in you. When you are not given an opportunity because of your gender, it can feel like a never-ending struggle that will keep happening over and over again.

Consistently putting in the effort takes time and energy, but it’s worth it. It may take months or even years, but don’t give up!

It can be difficult to see how much hard work you put into something and nothing happens. This can become discouraging and make you give up.

Don’t let this happen! Keep trying until you find what works for you.

A great way to get more exposure is by starting a chapter of a local club or organization. By serving as a leader, you can help promote diversity and leadership within your community. Some of these organizations include literary clubs, math groups, and technology user groups.

By leading such a group, you can spread awareness about how to improve diversity in tech and lead by example.

Be a good mentor

Being a strong leader is about inspiring others to follow you, not telling them what they should do. It’s sharing your knowledge with those who ask and want it while also giving them feedback so that they can improve themselves.

Tech professionals are always looking for new talent, so why not use all of the resources at our disposal to help find theirs?

By being a strong role model in tech and creating opportunities for women in the field, you will inspire many people to pursue their dreams.

Not only will this benefit these individuals directly, but it will create an overall healthier work environment. More women in leadership positions means less gender bias.

It will also boost productivity as employees feel more motivated when working towards a worthy goal.

Good mentors are actively seeking out skills and experiences that match their own and helping students achieve success.