Why is the proportion of women in the IT industry so low?

The reason relatively few women pursue a career in IT is likely due to many different factors. In the Recruiting Trend Special “Women in IT” by Monster Worldwide Deutschland GmbH, 80% of participants stated that girls in the German school system do not have sufficient exposure to IT. This lack of, or at least insufficient, contact with technological topics at a young age can be a reason why women often focus on other career paths. To counteract this, it is particularly important to inspire young girls for digital technologies as early as possible. Building on this, special degree programs for women in STEM fields (Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, and Technology) are increasingly emerging. They do not differ academically from regular degree programs but are better adapted to the needs of female students, thereby aiming to lower entry barriers for women. For example, student mothers have the opportunity to adjust their lectures to the opening hours of daycare centers.

The prevailing imbalance is particularly reflected in applications, as only 15% of applications for an IT position come from women. As an IT company, we are also familiar with this problem, which is especially noticeable when filling senior positions. Even in job interviews for non-technical roles, we occasionally encounter a certain apprehension about excessively high demands on applicants’ IT knowledge. But what can be done to address such sentiments?

What can IT companies do to become more attractive to women?

The Recruiting Trend Special also indicates that companies desire more women, as they have a positive impact on the working atmosphere and often bring new ideas and perspectives. A balanced ratio is, after all, desired by both men and women.

To achieve this goal, companies can, for example, participate in talent development programs. A good way to attract attention and generate interest early on is to participate in initiatives like Girl’s Day. Furthermore, it is advisable to launch their own initiatives, for example, in the form of a mentoring program. Additionally, it is important to offer all employees a balanced work-life balance and to enable a good reconciliation of work and family life through flexible working models.

How do our female colleagues experience everyday life in the IT industry?

To gain a better insight into the daily work of our female colleagues, we asked Marina Neumeier and Lisa Madeddu how they ended up in the IT industry, how they perceive the mix of male and female colleagues, what advantages working in IT offers, and whether there are still prejudices against women in IT.

Marina Neumeier:
I have been working in IT since 2013, and as a project manager, I coordinate agile digitalization and software development projects. In this role, I act as a point of contact for both our clients and our software developers and system administrators. I chose the IT industry because I enjoy working in a team on new solutions and innovations, and the range of tasks is very diverse and challenging. What I particularly appreciate about working in IT is the fast pace and the great innovation potential of the industry. To keep up, we always have to be up-to-date regarding technology, programs, and methods. I gain insights into many areas, and it’s exciting to collaborate with people from different disciplines and find solutions together. Due to the future-oriented nature of the industry, there are also many opportunities for further training and development.
Unfortunately, the mix of male and female colleagues is still not balanced; IT is currently still a predominantly male domain. However, this mix is precisely what is very important, because the way men and women approach problems can sometimes differ, leading to entirely new solution possibilities. Interestingly, I personally experience prejudices against women in IT more from outsiders than from direct colleagues or business partners. On the contrary, I have always been treated positively and respectfully, and I tend to find that women are seen as an asset to the team. Not only because I feel very comfortable in IT, but also because my birthday falls on International Women’s Day, I advocate for more women in IT and at digatus. Therefore, I would be delighted to welcome more proactive women to our team!

Lisa Madeddu:
That I ended up in an IT profession is more due to chance. After my training as a wholesale and foreign trade merchant, I worked in LED lighting technology in accounting, but also frequently assisted in the workshop and even went on installations. One day, I wanted to look at something on a PC with an acquaintance, but suddenly a blue screen appeared. Since I had always enjoyed working with technical devices, I knew what to do and was able to solve the problem quickly. My acquaintance then told me I had a knack for IT and should consider taking a job in IT. I followed this suggestion and eventually ended up at digatus in Onsite and 1st Level Support.

Unfortunately, there is currently hardly a real mix, but I am convinced that any woman who applies here would feel very comfortable. It is indeed a male domain, but I cope very well with it and feel equal to my male colleagues.
As Onsite Support, I am often on-site with clients to help them with their IT problems. It often happens that men are surprised when a woman suddenly stands before them and explains how the technology works. For some, it may not always be easy to be instructed by a woman, as the prejudice “women and technology” is still often reflected here. However, this way of thinking is increasingly dissolving, and many clients are pleased when they deal with a woman in technology. We women simply have a different way of communicating and bring a breath of fresh air. Therefore, my appeal: Dare to pursue professions that are traditionally considered male domains!

Apply with us!

An internal look shows that we at digatus have not yet reached the goal of a maximally balanced gender ratio. The female proportion of our workforce varies quite significantly depending on the business area and activity. For example, the proportion in predominantly technically oriented departments tends to be lower than in the consulting sector. We observe that significantly more men apply to us. Especially for job advertisements requiring professional experience, noticeably fewer women apply. Therefore, we are also increasingly focusing on developing our own skilled professionals and, for example, through our cooperation with FAU Nuremberg, we aim to inspire female students to join us early on.

In addition, we plan joint activities so that there is something for everyone, from laser tag and game nights to go-karting. Even the popular foosball round is by no means a purely male affair here. Therefore, our appeal: Dear women, we need you, so be brave and just apply!