Addressing tech’s gender imbalance

The tech sector lacks female representation. Although 50% of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college students are female, according to the University of Michigan, women occupy only one in five tech jobs, reports the Women Tech Council.

Addressing this gender imbalance is important from a diversity, innovation, and performance perspective. A 2020 McKinsey & Company report revealed companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 25% more likely to experience above-average levels of profitability. 

Attracting women to tech

Women considering a career in the technology sector may feel intimidated. They don’t want to be the only female in a meeting room, and they lack role models of women who have succeeded in IT. 

Wanting to change this experience, bridge the gender gap, and give back to the community, ServiceNow volunteered to run a training course for Code First Girls, a nonprofit organization that believes “tech shouldn't just be a boys club.”

Thirty women registered for the free eight-week coding course, where they gained knowledge, advice, and support to consider a career in tech. For many, the course was the first step toward a tech role or a role in a related discipline, such as user experience, design, or technical writing.

 And many of the women completing the Code First Girls course wanted to take the next step. Some of the avenues open to them are the ServiceNow Next Gen Program—designed to help take participants into employment—and the ServiceNow Early in Careers Program for graduates, providing a jump-start to their career path in technology.

Breaking down gender barriers

The collaboration between Code First Girls and ServiceNow addresses the gender gap by tapping into new talent groups and equipping them with digital skills for the future through comprehensive training programs. 

Our goal now is to encourage more ServiceNow volunteers to join our ranks and to empower more people from all walks of life to consider a career in the tech sector. 

If we’re to truly drive change, we must continue raising awareness of the growing opportunities in the digital economy, reaching out to new and diverse groups of people, and embracing the talent that resides there. We invite our partners and customers to join us in propelling real—and lasting —change in the industry.

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