The numbers don’t lie. In America, women represent only 14% of all computer science graduates. This number is quite a downgrade from 36% in 1984. Further, approximately 0.4% of girls enter college intending to major in computer science. These findings have proven one unmistakable point: the gender gap in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields is more prominent and overwhelming than ever in recent history.
Tech giants have taken note. Just this week, Google announced its plans to invest $50 million in an initiative to teach young girls how to code. Non-profit organizations, such as Girls Who Code, also work to educate and inspire young women to pursue opportunities in the computing fields.
In response, we turned to some of our own female installCore programmers (Anat, Anna, and Inna) to get their thoughts on the issue and highlight their experiences working at installCore.
Q: First off, what are your roles within installCore?
Anna: All three of us are front-end and server-side programmers that develop automated tools for installCore’s production teams.
Q: What got you interested in programming, coding, and technology?
Inna: I originally wanted to study biology, and I majored in biology in high school. When I studied at Tel Aviv University, I heard about an informatics open lecture, which was a new subject combining computers and technology. I had never studied programming before so I thought I’d try it.
Anat: I took up programming in high school because I like languages. I see computer coding as a language for communicating among people, programs, and software.
Q: Why did you decide to pursue a career in computer science?
Inna: It is a field in constant evolution, where we need to learn new things and face interesting challenges.
Q: Why is it important for women to be a part of the technology fields?
Anat: It is a growing industry. Almost every workplace uses computers today.
Inna: It’s the future, and computers are in every field. Women should and need to be a part of this.
Q: What advice would you give to other women getting involved in tech?
Anat: My tip is to take things easy. Sometimes things are stressful, sometimes there is pressure, but you need to remember not to take everything to heart.
Inna: It takes time, but once you blend in, it’s just like any other job. Just remember that this is a woman’s field too.
Anat: Some other programmers code as both a job and a free-time hobby. You shouldn’t let that intimidate you if you don’t or can’t sit in front of the computer for all hours each day.
Inna: Exactly. You don’t need to be a tech freak to be a good programmer.
Q: What do you think is the best thing about being a female programmer at installCore?
Anna: The company hosted a fun event for International Women’s Day this year. I don’t know any other company that offered manicures and cupcakes to their female employees!
Anat: A lot of the workers are young, but there is diversity among the employees, and there is respect for parenthood at installCore.