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Employers in the field of technology are actively trying to recruit more women. A conference showed women all the opportunities that are available.
One million jobs in computer and information-related fields are expected to be added to the U.S. workforce by 2014. But employers worry not enough women are getting a slice of that pie. Utah Valley University and the Women Technology Council are working to change that.
Cydni Tetro is the chief marketing officer for tech company Next Page and is the founder of the Women Tech Council. She loves talking tech, especially to women. "You recognize that everyone that goes into technology isn't nerdy, they're not wearing a pocket protector and there's opportunity if you go after it," she said.
Tetro believes the key to getting more women to pursue careers in technology is introducing them to more role models. "I think the hope here is you get to hear from 10 amazing women who all have diverse technology careers that are making a difference and can be successful, and you can be that, too," she said.
The conference is part of an outreach initiative at Utah Valley University to inform women about the opportunities available in technical careers.
Susan Thackeray, director of career and technical education at UVU, said, "We want to empower women with the skills in technology. They will get great opportunity."
According to the National Center for Women and Information Technology, women hold more than half of all professional occupations in the U.S. but fewer than 26 percent of all computing-related jobs. A lot of employers are eager to make the numbers more even.
"The diversity is welcomed on the teams, and we are underrepresented in the technology fields right now," Thackeray said.
Tetro said, "Every man will tell you when there is a woman on the team the dynamic is much different. It's much better because they add just a different perspective."
In fact, a study on U.S. technology patenting revealed that patents created by mixed-gender teams were considered the most useful and innovative.
"When you throw a woman into engineering or product development, they make a difference," Tetro said.
The hope at this conference is that more women will decide to throw themselves into the field.
You can get more information on the Women Technology Council and courses and degrees available through UVU at the links on this page.
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