In today’s digital era, technology is an integral part of success in almost every business. Companies build and release new products, entrepreneurs launch new startup companies, and businesses desperately try to fill available tech jobs to keep pace with the momentum. Although tech is still very much a boy’s club with approximately 75% of tech jobs held by men, companies across the country are working to change the conversation.
While speaking with other women in my office at a custom software company about this topic, we all agreed that more opportunities exist for women in technology today than in previous years; however, we did acknowledge that hurdles still exist. While women are not being openly denied positions, it’s become more of the norm to encounter subtle comments. Crain’s Chicago business, The Woman Up Project, shared a quote from the CEO of HighGround, where she stated that in the ‘90s, the early part of her career, sexism was blatant but now it’s micro-aggression that is more difficult to pinpoint. Examples include statements that women are only hired or promoted because of gender quotas, not based on talent or experience.
Although women of all ages and stages of their career report facing micro-aggressions, people are pulling together to continue to empower women. In fact, women in tech are taking advantage of an otherwise unexpected ally – the city of Chicago. Mayor Lori Lightfoot understands being a woman in a traditionally male world—of the 1,366 cities with populations over 30,000 only 22% have a female mayor with Chicago as the largest city with a woman at the helm.
If you’re looking to make big change, you’re going to need big support. What could be better than leaders in your own city? Mayor Lightfoot plans to broaden technology initiatives including expanding incubators and accelerators setting a strong tone for the treatment and future of both women and minorities in technology. With the Windy City working alongside the women that call this place home to cultivate change and create opportunities, we will see a lasting change to the tech industry in Chicago.
How Chicago is Making a Difference
Chicago embraces tech community as movement instead of an idea. The city is more than a place that offers incentives to lure tech companies into doing business here. Chicago home-grows tech through an ecosystem of community and collaboration. More than 20 incubators and accelerators operate throughout the city working to launch technology focused startups and advance tech initiatives in a variety of verticals. One of the best known, 1871, is the home of 500 early stage, high-growth digital startups—more in this one space than many other cities have all together.
Tech events and meetups take place almost every day of the year across the city. There are offerings by industry, by technology, by interest, and a wide variety specifically to encourage women in tech. The events do not exclude men, but instead seek to advance the conversations around challenges specific to women in the industry in a safe and positive environment. The Chicago community acknowledges that if you feel like you’re a part of a community, you are less likely to give up, change career paths, or move altogether.
Chicago software company leaders understand that before you can have women in technology, you need to have girls in technology programs. As such, Chicago businesses invest in STEM programs in schools, camps, and after-school programs, ensuring that digital interest and fluency can begin free from gender or ethnic bias early on.
How Women are Bringing Change to Tech
At companies across Chicagoland, women use their voices to help change legacy processes instilled years ago that could perpetuate employment discrepancies. In What Real Change for Women in Tech Looks Like at 5 Chicago Companies, women share specific examples from avoiding biased language during interviews and employee reviews to building skills in decision-making, risk-taking, and strategy. When company leaders understand that it can be uncomfortable if you’re the only woman on your team, leading women not speaking up, asking questions, or actively volunteering for challenges, they can implement specific strategies to address this head-on while they grow their female numbers. Leaders who previously stated, “I had a woman developer, but she left” now are examining why she left and what could be done to prevent this from reoccurring.
When speaking with the women in my own company, several shared that in past years, they would never share their concerns or problems within the workplace. However, without the ability to openly discuss areas for growth, actual growth will falter. It is not enough to make leaders aware of the problems—women themselves must take steps and follow through to have a real impact on the future. By setting up mentor programs, women can get direct 1-on-1 support, advice, and guidance. Whatever the gender of that mentor, these programs can begin to shift outdated mindsets and establish solid professional relationships. This low-cost program packs a high-value punch. Young professionals will be able to vocalize their concerns, identify opportunities to learn, and feel empowered to jump into situations that they might not have ton of experience in, but with the right support system rooting them on, they are more likely to try.
Another big way woman cultivate change is by sharing their stories, both the successful and unsuccessful ones. It’s important that women understand that they don’t have to be ‘perfect.’ Tech isn’t perfect, so it’s unrealistic that women in tech should be. But by hearing how other women stepped into the unknown, became comfortable with being uncomfortable, and learned to take risks, women can be inspired to reach for their goals. As my Chief Experience Officer said “Sometimes, you have to just do it – once you start doing something new, and you didn’t die, you’ll realize it wasn’t so scary.” Women who continue to step into the tech industry and C-suite positions are putting extra effort into being present with their female employees, leading by example, and sharing their stories.
When we share stories, we can share encouragement. When confronted by a wall, you need to find a way around it or allow it to stop you. You are probably not the first woman to stare up at that wall, so don’t sit back and admit defeat. Embrace this opportunity to reach out to your community for advice. Maybe you learn another tactic to scale the wall at your company or maybe you learn of a better opportunity at a different company that is more in line with your career goals. In the app development Chicago tech community, you’ll find one of the biggest support systems rooting for you.
Experience Change in a Growing City
In a predominantly male field like technology, gender biases exist and all women are likely to encounter micro-aggressions during some stage of their careers. Instead of focusing on the negative, embrace the opportunities. Companies who truly want the best idea will need a well-rounded, diverse workforce building their technology. If you are fortunate enough to live in or near Chicago, jump right into the ecosystem—we are a welcoming bunch. This tech hub, while fast-paced, still manages to maintain its unique charm by cultivating a warm and homey environment. Here are a few meetups to get you started. If Chicago is not home to you, be a part of building your own community. And, if you need some ideas, just shout—we will share. As a Chicagoan myself, I am proud of the work and focus this city has put in towards inspiring women in tech.