The computer world could use more IT girls

Chicago Tribune ^ | May 21, 2003 | Jane Margolis (LAT)

[LurkedLongEnough]

It was 10 a.m. at the E3 Convention — where every year the computer gaming industry presents its newest creations — and titanic screens filling room after room were showing computer games' mayhem and gore. Just in case the virtual world was not enticing enough, scantily clad "hot babes" provided by the industry roamed the halls for the almost entirely male attendees to ogle and pose with.

Why should we care about this rather peculiar E3 fantasy land, beyond general concern about the contemporary state of gender relations? Because in this age of information technology, the issue of who is drawn into the world of computer technology and the values people bring is crucial to almost every aspect of the nation's future social, economic and political development.

To be sure, that computer games awash with violence and misogyny entice so many boys and men is a mystery disturbing in itself. So is the perceived effect that these games have in the general coarsening of our society.

But consider the much less recognized role this kind of computer culture plays in allocating economic opportunities and designing the world in which we live: Computer games are often the spark that ignites the interest of males to learn more about the technology itself.

[BrooklynGOP]

...but only about 20% of computer science majors are female.

The reason is obvious: sexism! We need to tweak affirmative action further to boost the # of females in comp sci programs to 50%.

[Centurion2000]

The computer world could use more IT girls

Not at this time. IT unemployment is brutal at the moment. Of course trading H1B workers for american females would be a more than equitable trade.

[jscd3]

The computer world could use more IT girls

What the computer world could use are less H1Bs.

[dighton]

"To posterity, film buffs, and historians alike Clara Bow will forever be the 'It' girl.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

Back in the late 90s anyway there were equal numbers of females in my classes. Several of my professors were women. They're around, but the perception is men are better at it, employers will pick and choose who they hire despite discrimination laws.

It might help if they get rid of H1-Bs, it's the reason so many are dropping the science altogether, why bother?

[raybbr]

Like this?

Kim Komando

[Reeses]

An interesting thing about the IT world is there is little pay difference between men and women, which is not true of many other fields. Also, there seems to be gender layering up the management chain, men often report to women who report to men. Women seem to act as a communication layer for computer men.

[glorgau]

The games that girls play are with men's minds.

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

LOL! Clara Bow was the first thing I thought of when I read the headline!

[BrooklynGOP]

Not into blondes, but I guess she could dye her hair ;)

[bourbon]

Only 17% of high school students taking the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam are female.

There's an AP Computer Science exam now?! How cool! I wish we had that when I was in high school.

[SauronOfMordor]

Back in the late 90s anyway there were equal numbers of females in my classes. Several of my professors were women. They're around, but the perception is men are better at it, employers will pick and choose who they hire despite discrimination laws.

One big factor is that it's easier to find men who are willing to work insane hours to get a project to completion

[Thebaddog]

Would that be the user interface?

[LizardQueen]

I'm an IT girl and have noticed that there are more women in the programmer/programmer analyst/business analyst positions, while men dominate the technical side such as hardware, systems programming, network administration, etc.

I don't know if it's because of verbal ability (analysis is easier when you can talk to the users) or lack of mechanical ability, but I've always found it interesting.

I'm an anomaly - I work on the tech side as Unix admin/mainframe sysprog/part-time Oracle DBA. And I get to work this weekend and take apart 4 of the Unix servers to add new hardware. At least 1)it's going to rain and 2) I still have a job!

LQ

[skeeter]

There are now more women than men receiving college degrees. This inequity needs to be addressed, as well.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

Digital Goddess!

[Datahead]

My experience in IT so far is that those who hire don't really care what you are as long as you know your stuff or are willing to learn.

FYI... my wife got into IT, about 4 years ago, in her mid 40s with no experience and no degree in CS, etc. but willing and earger. She now works in an all-female developer team. Funny aside; there WAS a guy who worked with them. He was a big-hearted open-minded liberal. He had to be moved to another team 'cause he couldn't get along with the "girls". Typical.

[Datahead]

...earger...

Syntax error ;-)

[1stFreedom]

IMO, Hillary Klinton typifies the typical IT worker! Do you realy want more?

IMO, I think there is a dearth of Supermodel IT workers!