Why so few? This has always been the question on everyone’s lips. We all know there is still a gender gap in Technology but things are changing rapidly. The lack of women in the industry is making it difficult to have role models at the top. Now the conversation around women
in Technology and engineering is shifting towards a positive direction. However, many women still feel excluded and unsafe in a male-dominated industry and this article is to remind you that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. You are worthy of that new promotion. Don’t feel intimidated because of your gender.

| Most women think Technology is more like a boys’ club and they will not fit in. – Unknown |

The question is; How can we help to change the orientation of the female gender? We need to do a better job of letting girls know that tech is a viable career option where they can equally grow as much as men do.

Here are 5 ways to help women in technology take the lead;

Go for it

The options in Information technology are limitless.
It is not just about coding or programming. There are several options when you want to have a career in information technology. These options include; project management, UI/UX design, Requirement engineering, Business analysis, Software Quality Assurance, etc. You don’t have to limit yourself to a single path, there is a room for diversity. So, go for it. Information Technology does not only mean programming. It can involve creativity, big-picture thinking too, but you need to be willing to try new things. Flexibility and adaptability keep you in the game.

Confidence in yourself

Although, a confident man is perceived as more positive than a confident woman, therefore, women should often temper their confidence with modesty because failure to do that can saddle them with a reputation for being difficult or overbearing. You have already won half of the battle if you are confident in yourself. If you’re in a workplace with fewer women, lean on one another for support to build confidence.Lack of confidence is holding most women in technology back. One piece of advice I can give to women in technology is that; Never stop learning because human gets more confident as they become more experienced.

Know your worth

Don’t allow yourself to be intimidated by a room full of men. Embrace the uniqueness. You are only in that environment because you are worthy of that space. Don’t be afraid to give your own opinion on any topic. As a woman, we bring different perspectives and skillsets to the table. It is important for women to know their worth.

Don’t be afraid of mistakes

We always think that a mistake from us could have a negative impact on our career. Information technology is for everybody and women have always been a part of history. We have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi because of the work of women. It was created alongside men. So why do we still feel like we don’t belong? Why don’t we see ourselves as innovators? That’s because we don’t know our history. Mistakes are a part of life, we just have to learn from them.

Be Consistent & preserve:

Often, we don’t take the risks that we need to. The fear of failure is what makes us lose opportunities. This is a common problem to face no matter what stage you are at in your career. The change will always be scary but persevering through those hardships is what brings out the best in you. A common mistake many people make is to give up before trying because it seems impossible to succeed. The fear of failure often keeps both men and women from achieving their full potential in their careers. Also, perseverance is important for anyone, but especially a woman starting a career in the technology field. You may be in a job where you have to constantly fight to keep your position, so be willing to work extra hard to stand out from the crowd.

Finally, create your own personal definition of success. Success is defined by what makes you feel successful whether it is making more money or getting promoted at work. You need to define
success for yourself and it could change along the way. However, you might not necessarily have a detailed plan but you must have a vision for your career. Careers are usually very dynamic. It’s like traveling, you are open to many options along the way. We are women, we are leaders. We can take the lead!

Adeyinka Adebakin, is currently a Master’s student at Technical University Kaiserslautern, Germany, where she majors in Software Engineering. Alongside her studies, she works with SAP, a multinational software company in Germany. Adeyinka has a passion for Information technology management and supporting different startups in the software industry.