Breaking The Glass Ceiling

How women in tech succeed in a male-dominated industry

- Niyati Shah, Product Marketing Manager, at Synopsys Software Integrity Group

In this digital era, technology is an integral part of our lives. What we buy; how we sleep, eat, and work; and how we meet and communicate with each other — it’s all done through technology. Some of the twenty-first century’s greatest inventions — 3D printing, augmented reality, gene editing, or even 5G technology — have an enormous impact on how human lives are lived today.

So I was taken aback to learn that women make up only 26% of the workforce in today’s technology industry, and that compelled me to think deeply about my own personal experiences. I have been fortunate to be part of Fortune 500 tech companies where the culture promoted equality and inclusiveness. Despite that, I still faced situations where the most important projects were given to male coworkers because I had to leave by 5 p.m. to pick up my son.

Many times in boardrooms and executive meetings, I was the only woman present and I had to fight to have my voice heard. At times, people judged my ability because I was woman. I had to overcome these challenges and persevere, trusting my own abilities, and most importantly, surrounding myself with great female mentors and creating a circle of trust.

CURRENT STATE OF WOMEN IN TECH

Despite having the qualifications for a job, women in tech often have to take a backseat due to juggling their families and career. According to NBC News, nearly 2.4 million women left or lost their jobs since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — about 30% more than men. This is largely because many women were forced to choose between caring for their children at home and working. We now have significantly fewer female leaders, entrepreneurs, and IT professionals.