[TriLUG] The biggest deterrent for women in tech

[Linda Gardea]

So I see a lot of male perspectives :)

As a woman in tech, I can think of numerous times where gender has played
into setting the expectations of others, in ways that I found hindering and
annoying.  This did not die in the 90s!!  Here are a few examples:

1. When I was starting college (1999) and told an adviser that I wanted to
pursue computer science, the response I got was general discouragement,
being told it was a very challenging and difficult area of study.  I got
some numbers on how high the failure rates were and not really any kind of
plan on how to achieve my goals.  When I was insistent, I noted this
adviser seemed to lose interest in helping me - I thereafter only saw
advisers as absolutely required by school guidelines.  I question whether
this would have happened to a male.

2. When I resigned from a technical consulting position for another
opportunity (2005), I had multiple VPs trying to coax me into staying (all
male).  One, when talking to me, told me he was advising me as if he was my
father.  Another offered to call my father, convinced that my father might
join the conversation and help him change my mind.  I doubt these
approaches would have been used for any of my male peers.  More money and a
career plan might have had me listening further.  I did not stay with the
company and did find environments later that were more supportive later.

3. A fellow technical female, and friend, told me that she hated working
for women (2007).  They are just too emotional she stated.  Then later she
told me I was an exception.  Then later she told me that her current female
boss was an exception.

So why did I get into tech?  I had parents who invested time with me
growing up ensuring that I did well in math and science along with all
other subjects.  They had generally high expectations for me.  They
encouraged me to always ask questions and never feel stupid (this is
important!).  Most of the long nights of calculus were with my dad's help,
so I really do not think mentors have to be the same sex - just people who
take a hands on interest, offer encouragement, and guidance.  This gave me
a good basis to get into computer science. The higher pay of technical
professionals compared to others, only further encouraged me to pursue
computer science.

I suspect that most females do not get the level of support that I had
within my household. I think most women do not have social expectations
encouraging them to go into technology.  I also think that for those that
do go into technology, there will continue to be social barriers.  As women
currently in technology, we just have to carry on and keep asking for more
- otherwise expect to get the minimum.  Negotiation is an area where I
strive to improve.  I have seen that women statistically negotiate better
when representing a 3rd party compared to men.  Women should know this and
try to leverage this strategy. I'm open to tips from you fellas too :).

If we want to see more women in technology, I think more people need to
reset their expectations, and ensure we are encouraging females with higher
expectations.  Our expectations, more often than we comprehend, drive our
behaviors.

I encourage any of you to take a stroll through toys-r-us.  Look at the
"boy toys".  Look at the "girl toys".  You will see very quickly our
society's expectations for females versus males manifested.