Every year, International Women’s Day, always means a little more to me. It marks our 6th year in operation for Parrot Social as a Data Analytics firm and as a minority lady in Tech. Six years of love and dedication to growing this little firm – in a predominantly male-driven industry.
Internationally, according to a 2023 report by Forbes, a little more than 25% of jobs in the sector were held by women. Another study by McKinsey stated that businesses with greater gender diversity were likely to have a 15% average improvement in terms of performance.
Diverse teams have been seen to provide improvements in innovation, economic growth, and product design. The tech industry, which men have long dominated, has recognized the importance of improving gender diversity. Here, I’d like to share some of the key industry opportunities for women this year in the realm of technology.
Opportunities for Women in Tech 2024
1. Data Science
Are you passionate about uncovering patterns and extracting insights from mountains of data? If so, data science might just be your calling. With the exponential growth of data in every industry, the demand for skilled data scientists is soaring. From identifying consumer trends to optimizing business operations, data scientists play a pivotal role in shaping the future of organizations. As women, we bring unique perspectives to the table, enhancing innovation and problem-solving in this dynamic field.
2. Cybersecurity: Defending Digital Frontiers with Grace and Grit
In today's digital age, cybersecurity is more crucial than ever to safeguard sensitive information and protect against cyber threats. As the guardians of digital frontiers,
cybersecurity professionals are in high demand across industries. Women in cybersecurity bring a diverse skill set, from risk management to threat detection, strengthening the resilience of organizations worldwide. So, if you thrive in high-pressure situations and have a knack for thwarting cyber villains, consider a career in cybersecurity.
3. Cloud Computing: Elevating Businesses to New Heights
The cloud has revolutionized the way businesses operate, offering scalability, flexibility, and efficiency like never before. As businesses increasingly migrate to the cloud, the demand for skilled cloud computing professionals continues to surge. Whether it's designing cloud architectures or managing cloud infrastructure, women have a significant role to play in driving cloud innovation forward. By mastering cloud technologies, we can empower organizations to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
4. Artificial Intelligence: Pioneering the Future with Consumer Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just the stuff of science fiction; it's rapidly becoming a reality in our daily lives. From virtual assistants to self-driving cars, AI is transforming industries and reshaping the way we interact with technology. As women, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI with our creativity and ingenuity. Whether it's developing AI algorithms or exploring ethical AI frameworks, there's no limit to what we can achieve in this field.
Allow For and Encourage Mentorship in Technology
Three out of four executives in the Tech industry worldwide say mentoring has been critical to their career development. Few things are as empowering for the beginning professional in tech as having access to a professional network of tech workers. Such a network is necessary for the next generation of innovators. Mentorship allows women to gain visibility, social connection, and work opportunities. The idea is to prepare women for senior roles like you would prepare another talent within the organization.
Remember that mentorship is more than just having a formal set time to meet or a lunch every month. It is about having someone inspirational close to you who willingly invests in and collaborates with you.
Research has well established the benefits of diverse leadership. For example, recent research by McKinsey shows that having more diverse teams improves financial performance in teams and creates stronger teams over time. Yet the tech world is yet to embrace diversity fully. There is a glaring gender gap, and women are underrepresented at all levels in the corporate pipeline. As company leaders, we can begin driving lasting change and commit to advancing gender equality. We can embrace the fact that when we lift others, we all rise.
In addition to the company-wide and bottom-line benefits of having women in tech, when you help others, your life gains more purpose and meaning. Remember that leadership inspires others to believe in themselves, in the impossible, and improve. When your leadership serves others, you become someone of value.
Although tech does not have its fair share of women, what I do see is how well the women that are in tech are doing. We can see that women are generally just as content as men, and also just as likely to progress once their career has got under way. We can definitely see more women making a genuine impact in Technology.
Ladies, are you ready to unleash your full potential and embark on an exciting journey in the world of tech? We've only scratched the surface of the endless possibilities that await you in high-demand tech careers – and may you find other sectors that you may flourish in as well.
