The technology industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, with new advancements and innovations being developed at an unprecedented pace. However, despite its successes, the industry needs more diversity and inclusion. The good news is that the overall representation of women technologists has increased by 2.9 percentage points since 2018. This increase is promising, but even at a consistent growth rate of 4.96% per year, it would take 12 years to achieve equal representation. According to a 2020 study by the AnitaB.org Institute, women, in particular, are underrepresented in tech, accounting for only 28.8% of industry employees. The industry’s growth has resulted in a surge of job opportunities, yet the representation of women in the workforce still needs to improve. Softia supports women who want to join the Tech Industry by leading inspirational examples.
Over 25 percent of our colleagues at Softia are women; therefore, we strongly believe there has never been a better time for women to enter the Tech Community. With the industry experiencing rapid growth and increasing demand for skilled professionals, women have a unique opportunity to make their mark and build rewarding careers. If you’re still wondering why women should consider pursuing a career in IT in 2023, keep reading for answers and inspiring stories.
Find below reasons why we encourage women to consider stepping into the tech world:
#1 The tech industry offers a variety of career opportunities
The vast tech industry offers various career opportunities, from software engineering to product management to data science. There is a high demand for tech talent, and many companies seek to hire the best talent regardless of gender. Additionally, the tech industry provides opportunities for both technical and non-technical roles, making them attractive to candidates with various backgrounds and skill sets. Moreover, tech employers offer attractive work policies and benefits besides focusing on employee wellbeing.
#2 Women can make a significant impact in the tech
By joining the tech industry, women can make a significant impact by contributing to developing new technologies and shaping the industry’s future. There are endless opportunities to succeed in an exciting and rewarding field and have a lasting impact on our world. The perfect example is Ada Lovelace, a British mathematician widely considered the founder of computing science and the world’s first computer programmer. She was the first to recognize that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation, and to have published the first algorithm intended to be carried out by such a machine.
#3 Diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making
Having a diverse team brings together different perspectives, experiences, and skills. This diversity of thought allows for more creative and innovative problem-solving, resulting in better decision-making.
Diversity and inclusivity are crucial components of a healthy and thriving workplace, regardless of gender. Companies can benefit from a broader range of perspectives and experiences by creating an environment that values and promotes diversity, leading to more innovative and creative solutions. For example, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) states that inclusive workplaces can help to foster a sense of belonging and support, leading to higher job satisfaction and engagement levels.
We encourage women to consider stepping into IT in 2023 because of the growing demand for skilled professionals, the unique perspectives and diverse skill sets they bring to the industry, and the potential to impact society positively. With a growth mindset, training, and resources, all talents and gender can thrive in the tech industry and help shape technology’s future. To highlight the importance of inclusivity in the tech industry, we spoke with four Softia #LadiesInTech who have experienced the benefits of working in a diverse and inclusive workplace.
I joined Softia as a Team Leader and a Scrum Master in October of last year. My journey in the technology industry is rooted in my passion for the Agile mindset. I discovered agility from a simple google search at a time in my life when I needed so much change. With more than 10 years in sales in various industries, 3 years in team management, and 6 years as an entrepreneur, I already had fundamental values that guided me in my day-to-day work, so I gratefully embraced agile values when I discovered them. All that followed was many hours of learning to get certified as a Scrum Master. My everyday motivation is my team’s performance and my results in helping them develop and improve. At Softia, I found people who provide you confidence in a warm atmosphere with a healthy management approach; what more could you want?! 😊
In my spare time, I seek adrenaline in mountain hikes, hide behind the camera in search of beauty through photography, and recently discovered my passion for motorcycles.
My advice for girls who want to join the IT industry would be to take your passion to the next level, and if you are passionate about the IT industry, invest in your knowledge and skills to become the best version of yourself. I made a 180° change in my professional life when I was 38 years old, with no one to guide me, just believing I would one day make it.
I am Ionela, and I have been a Web Software Developer at Softia since August 2020. For me, Softia is a really great place, with a beautiful culture and atmosphere. People are the ones making this place beautiful because all of us simply enjoy working together on significant projects. Here, I met communicative people who are open to new ideas, who offer support and help, people you can rely on, and from whom you can always learn something new. I am part of a great department, and although we started as nothing more than colleagues, in time, we ended up becoming good friends.
I enjoy being a developer due to the daily challenge of solving problems, the chance to be creative while coding, the opportunity to learn new things each day, and, of course, due to the satisfaction that you get when you see the result of your work.
As a child, I loved mathematics, and I also loved playing video games and, yes… combining these two activities, I thought that programming might be a suitable path for me. When I started my tech journey, I was a student at the faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Science in Bucharest. Here my first step was to sign up as a volunteer in the graphic design department of the student association, from where I started to see how lovely it can be to design and work on various websites. During my faculty years, I discovered a lot of new aspects of programming, and I really wanted to see what suited me better. Just as I chose my experiences, they also picked me professionally. I had the pleasure of going through different stages: first, I started working on databases as an ETL Developer. After that, I consolidated my knowledge by working as a back-end developer. And now, I stepped into the front-end world and have become a full-stack developer.
Besides technology, I have many other passions and hobbies. I really like cooking, watching movies, and playing video games. I also enjoy reading psychological and science fiction books and philosophizing about life.
Someone told me at one point: “Focus on what you love and go discover your passion!” and it enhanced my vision of life. I have been doing it until now, and trust me, I am not done yet. What you should know is that being yourself and putting your energy, focusing your good intentions towards something that you really want, will take you much further than you think. So, why not start doing this now?
I am Alexandra, Project Manager at Softia since July 2020 for about 2 and a half years. I enjoy wearing several hats, both in operational roles (as a Business Analyst and Scrum Master) and in leadership (I am a Team Lead for 6 developers & QE).
My journey in the tech industry started more than 10 years ago when I joined a software development company in a customer support role. After 2 years, I stepped into project coordination roles, first for maintenance projects, as Service Level Manager, then as a Project Manager in development and CGI projects. My everyday motivation comes from the people I interact with, with which I consistently achieve the goals and project progress I proposed.
The fact that every day is different, and I get to learn something new in at least one of the areas I am involved in is what I enjoy the most in Softia. Some days I am developing my leadership skills and get to put them into practice what I already gather during the years. Other days I am learning new approaches for the Scrum Master role or Business Analyst one or just find more details about the projects I am working on. Of course, all these are possible only with my team’s collaboration. Sharing the same goals and determination to focus on the results, I consider the best part of my teams.
Outside of my professional activity, I enjoy spending time in nature as much as I can, from just walking around or cycling in forests, kayaking on the lakes, or skiing.
To all the girls who want to join the IT industry, I recommend being confident of getting involved in different activities from a project so they can find exactly the area and role they are passionate about the most, the one that is the best fit for them.
I joined Softia as a Quality Engineer in April 2022 after working in similar positions in other companies since 2016. My background is in Marketing, but I realized it is not the best fit for me, so I have decided to take on some Web Design and JavaScript courses and got a job as a technical support specialist while still learning. After a while, I switched to QA and learned how to deliver quality and continuously improve myself.
My motivation comes from the fact that I finally found what best fits me, and for me, QA is more than a job; it’s a passion. IT is a field where you always have stuff to learn, which is highly fulfilling because it ensures that you will never get the chance to get bored. I love the vibe here at Softia, and I have the best team; they are incredibly supportive, and I love how they don’t mind sharing their knowledge and always being on top of things.
Making a professional reconversion and switching to IT might be scary, but if you like the industry and can turn it into a passion, all the effort is worth it. Hard skills are easy to learn, especially if you put in the work and give your all.
Our inspiring and passionate colleagues Alina, Ionela, Alexandra, and Anca are just a few examples of the many talented and driven professionals making a difference in the tech industry. They show us that every goal is achievable with hard work, determination, and a passion for what we do. So, whether you’re just starting your career or looking to make a career change, remember that you, too, can rock the tech industry and make a name for yourself. Be bold, take risks, speak up, and blaze your trail. Who knows what amazing things you might achieve?
Speaking of fabulous challenges/ achievements, you can join us by sending your resume at hr@softia.ro .
By promoting diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry, we can build a stronger, more innovative, and more equitable environment for all.
Useful resources:
Women must take a lead in innovating the tech industry (wearetechwomen.com)
NCWIT_Patent-Report-2022_Final_WEB-1.pdf
(1) What’s the state of play for women in Tech in 2023? | LinkedIn
How to Attract, Engage and Retain Women in Tech | FDM Group | UK