Breaking Barriers: A Call to All Women to Dive into the World of IT — AI is the Golden Ticket
During the pandemic, I had the rewarding opportunity to teach Python programming to kids and young adults. Remarkably, nearly half of my bootcamp participants were females. What’s even more heartening is that several of them have since ventured into the IT world, reaping its numerous benefits and joys!
Over two decades, I’ve collaborated with technical professionals across various geographies. Interestingly, I observed fewer female coders in the West compared to countries such as India, Vietnam, and Singapore, among others.
While I may not have expertise in discerning the reasons behind this trend, I am keen to explore avenues to welcome more women into the IT sector – a realm where their representation has been notably sparse.
For many, IT is not just lines of code and complex algorithms – it’s a captivating, dynamic, exhilarating journey and dare I say joyous and satisfying journey!
While some might label it as a demanding field, in truth, it’s far from just that. At its core, IT thrives on creativity, humor, teamwork, collaboration, and a robust business spirit. It’s very engaging, at times mind blowing, super creative and pays a superior pay check!
IT is not just Coding
When you hear the term “IT” or “tech”, do visions of daunting lines of code and complex algorithms immediately come to mind?
Fortunately it isn’t just coding!
It’s time to shatter that perception and understand that the IT world is vast, inclusive, and doesn’t always require coding prowess.
All women out there — let’s dive into the thrilling and empowering realm of technology! Hopefully I’ll be successful in making my case to chose your next career in favour of IT!
The Broad Spectrum of IT
You may have been to a hospital, a grocery store, beauty parlour, a school and many other setups. There’s one thing that you understand from various establishments:
A hospital cannot run just with doctors!
A school with full of just teachers is pretty useless.
You get the idea!
IT is not just about coding.
Just as a hospital needs more than doctors (like nurses, admin staff, lab staff), the tech industry requires a variety of roles to function seamlessly.
From UX/UI designers, project managers, Business Analysts, Product Owners, Programme Managers, Administrative staff, IT consultants, network administrators, to cybersecurity experts, there’s a niche for everyone.
So, whether you’re a creative thinker, problem solver, or someone who thrives on human interaction, there’s a space for you in IT.
So, again, IT is not just about coding!
Why Women in IT Matters
Diverse perspectives fuel innovation.
Innovation leads to breakthroughs.
Women bring unique insights, creativity, and problem-solving skills that enrich the tech landscape. And in a field teeming with innovation, every voice and perspective is paramount.
With women making up half the global population, it’s only logical to have that representation in the industry that’s shaping our future.
I firmly believe that the field of coding isn’t exclusive to one gender. It’s a domain where women can, and should, thrive equally.
Career Satisfaction and Growth
Tech roles offer more than just a decent paycheck.
The constantly evolving nature of the industry ensures that there’s always something new to learn and discover.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, last one year has been a rollercoaster ride in the IT area with the emergence of AI once ChatGPT made its way to general public.
Ever since ChatGPT was introduced to the general public, it has catalyzed significant shifts in the industry.
In my view, AI will be the biggest disruptor!
The democratization of advanced AI models like ChatGPT heralded a new era of innovation.
From automating mundane tasks and improving customer service experiences to aiding in research, facilitating creative processes, building unimaginable application in the field of health, education, finance, AI is a revolutionary fire that’s just begun disrupting the industry on a big scale.
AI has found its foothold in countless applications.
Furthermore, the dialogue around AI’s ethical implications, data privacy, and potential biases has gained momentum. It’s not just about harnessing the power of AI; it’s about doing so responsibly.
For women coders and tech enthusiasts out there: this period of rapid evolution offers a golden opportunity. This is one of the most and best period to jump in if you’ve already done so!
The field is ripe for fresh perspectives, diverse insights, and innovative solutions. It is still raw. It is still emerging. Here lies the opportunity.
The more varied the voices contributing to this technological renaissance, the richer and more robust our future systems will be.
This not only keeps the job exciting but also offers a clear path for professional growth.
Many women in IT often highlight the satisfaction they get from problem-solving, creating solutions, and the tangible impact of their work.
Financial Independence
I don’t need to mention the significance of financial independence — we all know that this is a great booster for everyone’s mental and emotional being.
When a partner, be it a woman or man, contributes financially to the household, it can significantly alleviate financial burdens and provide more opportunities for the family. Kids may get those electronic gadgets they need or the family holiday that’s been on the back burner for a while or the refurbishing that garage for extra bed!
And even offer some luxuries that might have been unattainable otherwise.
Here’s the good news: there’s no denying it – careers in IT are among the most lucrative.
With competitive salaries, benefits, and opportunities for growth, it’s a sector that promises financial stability.
And with financial independence comes the empowerment to make choices, be it related to personal growth, traveling, investments, or supporting loved ones.
Building A Supportive Community
While the ratio of women in tech is growing, there’s still work to be done. In my opinion, the IT needs to be given a big seat in the earlier education at school. It’s not a second citizen!
But the silver lining is the burgeoning community of supportive women and allies in the field. Networks, mentorship programs, and tech groups for women are on the rise.
These communities offer resources and advice to kick start the ground. They help you navigate and flourish in your tech journey.
There are a ton of online videos (make YouTube your best friend and ditch that Netflix) that would teach you the entry points — right from barebones of coding to learning business analysis, front end designs and others.
What’s holding you back
To every woman reading this: remember that the world of IT is vast and there’s a place for you, whether or not you code.
Embrace the opportunities, let your unique voice be heard, and join the movement to diversify and enrich the technological tapestry.
Your perspective, skills, and insights are not just wanted – they’re needed.
And with the emergence of AI on the rise, there’s no better opportunity than this!
Dive in, explore, and let’s shape the future together!
