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Women in technology


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Twenty-four years ago, after giving birth to my son and it was time to return to work I knew for sure that it was time for a career change. I was working as a nutritional specialist and I did not enjoy my job. My first thought was computer programming, I was exposed to it a bit when shortly after migrating to Canada I took a night class on introduction to computers. The course was divided into four section the last of which was introduction to computer programming. I was fascinated and felt that I found myself then and there. So, years later when it was time for a career change I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
This article looks at women in technology with aim of inspiring women to take a second look at the field. Notice I didn’t say young women because I am speaking to women of any age. I was actually not young when I decided to make the switch. The one thing I will say though is that the second motivating fact if that at that time I was planning on being a single parent and I did not want my kids to feel deprived so I had to pick a career that would pay a little bit more than average.
A report from Statistics Canada that looks at the employment conditions of men and women in natural and applied sciences occupations in Canada between 1991 and 2011, show that while women make up a significant percentage to non-science and technology jobs they make up a much less percentage to science and technology jobs.During that period, computer science occupations accounted for 60% of the increase in employment and men accounted for 75% of that increase. The scary part to me was that young women in computer science declined over the period. It is also true that worker in science and technology enjoy better working conditions.One take way for me from reading that article is while we are making strides to close the wage gap between men and women would appear that the choice in field of study might be contributing to the gap. Is it not time for us to take a second look at the field of technology.


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Muffett Alexander

Elzah Solutions Inc.
Technical and Creative Director