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In 2015, we wrote in our blog called “Can More Women and Girls in Tech Help Solve the Tech Skills Gap?” (read it here) about closing the tech skills gap by hiring more women. Today we will revisit this topic and see what the current state of the skills gap is.
The technology
We concluded that “Encouraging more American Girls to pursue careers in tech would open a huge untapped resource.” This still rings true today, yet there is still an inadequate representation of women in tech.
One would think in 9 years, there would be nowhere to go but up and up with organizations like Girls Who Code and the National Center for Women in Technology, but things have not gotten any better. If anything, rapid technology advancements, high demand, and low supply of skilled professionals, an aging workforce, inadequate training, limited talent pools, poor hiring practices, and poor onboarding of new hires have only worsened the talent gap. Last year, there were 354,057 open computer jobs nationwide, with only 90,942 computer science graduates entering the workforce (code.org).
Consider these facts from our blog then compared to today:
We wrote that in 2011, women made up close to half of the U.S. workforce but held 25% of STEM jobs. In 2023, they represent 57% of the workforce, but the percentage held in STEM has only increased to 27%.
In 2015, we also wrote that women represented 12% of all computer science graduates; in 2022 they represent 23% of all computer science grads. This is still far short of the 1985 high of 37%.
We clearly have more work to do. So what is the solution?
Much like typing “brought the world of commercial work to women” (Rimkunas, 2024) in the 1920’s, computer science classes and coding can open the commercial world of Tech to women once again. But we have to start early. Like typing classes, coding classes need to be accessible to school-age children and, like typing was once, made required coursework for graduating.
Need some proof? Take a look at these stats from Girls Who Code and Code.org:
Girls Who Code alumni earn computer science degrees at seven times the national average. SEVEN Times!!
The percentage of females in high school participating in foundational computer science has been stuck at 31% nationally for the last three years. Males are twice as likely as females to take the course.
57.5 % of high schools offer foundational computer science courses but only 5.8% of students enroll in them.
Suburban schools are more likely than rural or urban schools to offer computer science classes.
Only 35 states offer CS classes, and 8 states have made it a requirement for graduation. This move would help close the gaps. Arkansas is a perfect example of how this requirement has a direct effect on increased representation of females in courses, with a 12% increase in participation since 2021 when it became a requirement (Klien, 2023).
So what can we do to help further close the gap?
- Create more access to foundational computer science courses in both rural and urban environments where under-represented groups concerning race, gender, English learner, special education, and lower-income status are.
- Promote STEM Education
- Create Mentorship Opportunities
- Engage Men as Allies and
- Celebrate Women in Tech
By implementing this small change within your own communities, the skills gap will grow smaller.
Looking for a way to celebrate Women in Tech? Join us for a free Women In Tech Hybrid event on October 16th. This session topic is “Celebrating Generations of Women in Tech”. Join us where we'll dive into the past, present, and future of women in the industry. This event will feature discussions on mentorship, innovation, and the evolving role of women in tech. Whether you're just starting your career or have decades of experience, there's something here for everyone. Join us for an inspiring and empowering experience.
Registration is open now: https://witfall2024.splashthat.com.
Sources
Computer Science Courses Are on the Rise—But Girls Are Still Half as Likely to Take It by Alyson Klien
Historically Speaking: How typewriting brought new opportunities to women in Exeter by Barbara Rimkunas
Girls Who Code – Stats
