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Why are there so few women in IT? There really are numerous reasons, but the two most common explanations are:

1. Women just aren’t interested in computers.
2. Women aren’t as smart as men.

Now, we know intellectually that neither of these statements is really true. So, what is really going on here? I think there are a few explanations.

1. The confidence gap. We do know that women lose interest in computers around the same time that they lose their self-confidence, in middle school. When men and women perform a task equally well, the men think they are better than they really are, while the women think they perform worse than they really do. This occurs no matter the grades earned in the course, or the high score on a game. Furthermore, men externalize failure while women internalize it. Enlisting the support of colleagues, friends, and mentors can help keep up your confidence and build you up for long-term success.
2. Fewer role models and mentors. Most people look for friendship and mentor/mentee relationships with those they are the most familiar with. So, when women do not see other women in the field, they are discouraged. This is a vicious-circle type of feedback, and it ties in with the confidence gap. Ultimately, many women leave the field, which discourages more from joining. And then feeds into the myth that men are better at computing. There are plenty of resources and associations for women in information technology to join even if your colleagues are mostly male!
3. Girls are discouraged at an early age. For one thing, we are discouraged from speaking up – it is not ladylike. This is not subtle. I remember being told more than once to quiet down while boys were allowed to yell and be completely obnoxious. After this happens a few dozen times, it is not surprising that girls think their thoughts are worth less than boys’ thoughts. Plus, women are socialized to be modest, not to trumpet their own horn. But, you can’t succeed in a male-dominated field without trumpeting your own horn. So, pick up that instrument early and often!
4. Technology workers are perceived as a solitary occupation. This is not really true – I spend as much of my day interacting with people as the average office worker.
5. Fear of losing life-work balance. Yeah, there is sometimes after-hours work. On the whole, my life-work balance is about the same as my non-tech friends, who are both male and female, and mostly don’t work in technology.

Some of these challenges are real, and some are just common (miss)perceptions. But all must be overcome to get more girls to view technology as a viable career option. When we finally get more women in IT, the change will be noticeable. After all, women account for 52 percent of all consumers, including technology. Women will design products and create an environment for women, and the whole industry will grow as a result.

Are you a woman who is interested in starting a career in information technology? IT Career Lab can help! Visit us at www.ITCareerLab.org or call 855-994-8300.