tomorrow's women, tomorrow's world - bcss women, tomorrow's world. sue black, hod,...

Tomorrow's Women,

Tomorrow's World

Sue Black, HoD, UoW

Cher Seat Devey, Consultant

Natasha Angelopoulou, Principal Lecturer, UoW

Wendy Xerri, CIO, International Baccalaureate

18th March 2009 BCS Sociotechnical group - UoW 2

Reasons for the lack of women in IT

• Lack of role models• Self esteem• Geeky image• Lack of encouragement• Self perception• Long hours culture• …..


• In 2006 only 600 females sat a computing A-level exam, compared with 5,600 males. However, two-thirds of the females achieved an A to C grade, compared with 57 percent of male students.

• The pattern was similar for the ICT A-level, which was sat by 9,000 males and only 5,100 females this summer. But again, females outperformed their male counterparts, with 58 percent scoring an A to C grade, while only 46 percent of males achieved these scores.

Girls outclass boys at IT GCSEs

Madeline Bennett, IT Week, 30 Aug 2006

http://www.itweek.co.uk/


IT industry culture failing women

• ‘The UK needs to understand that this is not a gender issue – we need to maintain a diverse workforce to stay competitive.’

• Women are under-represented in higher-skilled IT jobs, and dominate the lower-skilled and lower-paid areas of the industry.

• Some 61 per cent of database assistants and 42 per cent of assemblers of electrical products are female, compared with only 20 per cent of ICT managers, and 12 per cent of IT strategy or planning professionals.

Computing, 23rd November 2006


: Encouraging and Supporting women in the IT ProfessionBCSWomen Committee, UK

HTTP://WWW.BCS.ORG/BCSWOMEN

Current Situation in the UKThe number of women entering the IT Industry and in Academia in the UK are decreasing. In 2001 the number of Women in IT was approximately 26%, while in 2002 the figure dropped to just 18% and in fields like software engineering women account for only 8% of the workforce.

BCSWomen provides support for women in IT around the world and it also promotes IT as a great career choice for women.

Connecting Women in ComputingOverall the group has

achieved a lot over its 5 years of

Its existence due to the enthusiasm

of all its members, especially

its hardworking and dedicated

committee members.

In October 2001, Dr Sue Black set up the BCSWomen e-group. The members of the e-group sent hundreds of emails to each other on the first day. The response was astounding! For the first few days, members all over the world were introducing themselves to each other and networking in an exciting way.

The goals of BCSWomen are: •Provide an opportunity for women in IT or studying computing. •Provide support for women working in IT.•Support and encourage women and girls entering IT/IS careers.•Provide a central contact for media channels requiring comment of issues relating to women in IS/IT.•Assist women in IS/IT to find, and become, mentor for other women•Contribute to British Computer Society Policy

CV ReviewBCSWomen provide a CV review service: a team of volunteers provide advice and suggestions on CVs and covering letters. Feedback is passed back and reoccurring themes are put on the website.

School VisitsBCSWomen enable school and college visits in order to inspire young people to take IT options at school. Discussions are taken with the e-group for the best possible strategies to do this.

[1] All statistics come from the Department of Trade and Industry in the UK: http://www.setwomenstats.org.uk/set4statistic[2] http://www.bcs.org.uk/bcswomen/index.htm


BCSWomen Rock!

• BCSWomen is accessible to any woman with a web browser at work or at home!

• BCSWomen is inclusive and involves no costly or time-consuming travel to meeting.

• It is available 24 / 7 so can fit easily within member’s busy lives.

• Its positive achievements to date have encouraged wider participation and growth in membership, with around 1000 members ☺

www.bcs.org.uk/bcswomen

http://www.bcs.org.uk/bcswomen


BCSWomen speak…..

I can say that I got all the power, inspiration, and success that I need from BCS & BCSWomen

membership, it is great to know all you

ladies, some of my colleagues keep asking me why I am member of a society when I can't meet its members? I replied..I

meet them

daily..




BCSWomen speak…

Membership of BCSWomen

has inspired me. Right from the start! Meeting with all at the very first meeting, I was so amazed at the calibre of

my fellow members.




BCSWomen speak…

I have made some really great friends, and able to keep in touch with those who are further away.

…. we are a role model for other groups who are now moving more towards email and message board contact

It has helped me through some dark times and encouraged me to stay in IT, and I enjoy the lively debate that springs up.


BCSWomen run the world!




BCSWomen Bag Ladies


BCSWomen meet the BCS President


Lucy working in Nepal pops over to see Jo in NZ


Google sponsor a BCSWomen table at the President’s dinner


BCSWomen and their new best friend


BCSWomen networking




BCSWomen know how to party!


Keeping women in IT

Confidence is crucial:Formal and informal mentoring• Internal and external networking • Coaching• Support and encouragement from

– Subordinates– Peers– Managers


So endeth the lesson and big plug for BCSWomen ☺


Sue Black

How I got where I am today

What has BCSWomen/women in computing networks done for me?

My one piece of advice


Cher Seat Devey





Natasha Angelopoulou





Wendi Xerri





Thanks for listening

Now the panel session ☺

tomorrow's women, tomorrow's world - bcss women, tomorrow's world. sue black, hod,...

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