Women in Technology Elizabeth Lockhart

Last summer I was invited by Microsoft to attend a program offered by their diversity department called Digigirlz. At first I was skeptical, so I did some research and found out that Digigirlz was focused on encouraging girls to pursue careers in technology, an industry dominated by men. My research also helped me realize that women are greatly underrepresented in the technology world. As an enthusiastic girl interested in technology, I think this is a problem. I believe there needs to be more diversity throughout the industry, and I want to make a difference.

Diversity problems can be seen not only in the technology industry, but also throughout large companies. Statistically, men dominate the high-level, white-collar, professional world. In 2008, there were only 12 female CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Steve Jobs of Apple, Steve Ballmer of Microsoft, and Paul S. Otellini of Intel are the people that drive our mainstream technology industry, and it is no surprise that they are all men. In a study performed by Roper Starch Worldwide for Deloitte & Touche, 1,500 technology industry professionals were polled on how they felt about the work environment and position they were in. The study showed that 84% of women felt that...