Tackling the STEM 'bro-culture': why women need to build networks of their own

"Society discourages women from entering STEM fields," says entrepreneur Christine Telyan

Although the ratios have improved in recent years - assisted by events like Computing's own Women in Tech Festival and Women in IT Awards - the UK tech industry still has a massive gender disparity. Although they represent about half of the workforce, fewer than 20 per cent of tech company employees, and 22 per cent of directors, are women.

The issues begin even before entering the job market. Women are turned off of STEM careers through their experiences in education, and even at home. Christine Telyan - CEO and co-founder of UENI - says that she has met many young women who felt more ‘employable' in non-STEM areas.

"Countless studies show that abilities are gender-blind, but society discourages women from entering STEM fields. Universities need to do a better job of cultivating young women's natural analytical [and] creative abilities and helping them find that first internship, that first job that puts them on a STEM career path.

"More broadly, I think our universities - and even [secondary] schools - need to better communicate that higher education in STEM can ready you for any career, whether directly in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, or in any other fields where critical thinking is valued."

An industry problem...

Telyan believes that both the tech industry, the education sector and wider society should be more welcoming towards women:

"The changes in society need to start at the very beginning of a woman's career journey. More scholarships and fellowships should be awarded to women opting for STEM degrees - this will allow more women to educate themselves in the field without financial worries and worries around student debt. Tech companies need to offer flexible working arrangements for the women who need them. It is important for us to enable women to have careers in tech and not compromise on other aspects of life that are important to them as well."

Telyan says that her experience as a woman in tech has helped her tailor her company's services, building professional websites for small businesses:

"Though I am now the CEO of a tech company, I didn't have any formal training in the tech space. My training is in economics and business, and I stumbled on a business problem: small businesses don't have the time, money or knowledge to properly leverage technology to help run their business. Because I didn't have a tech background, I could empathise with this problem and with my future customers…

"For my business, there are many tangible benefits to having a female CEO: many of my customers are women who run small businesses in a variety of industries. As an entrepreneur myself, I know the challenges that my customers face and I've been able to build a company that takes into consideration the needs of both female and male entrepreneurs. We have a diverse team and an inclusive culture, which makes for a wider range of perspectives and better business decisions."

...With an industry solution

Visible female role models have proven valuable in bringing more women into the tech sector. Telyan says that companies should make this a priority:

"Companies should make it a priority to have diverse tech teams. I don't think you can do this by force. At universities and in graduate programmes, particularly MBA training, HR teams should be given the mandate of ensuring that there is adequate female representation, and hiring should be planned accordingly…

"Role models can have an immense effect. Before I took on the role of CEO...I spent many hours reading about and meeting other women who had been in my position - seeing them go through the process and succeed gave me the confidence that I could do it, too. We need to continue celebrating and sharing stories of women in tech. By doing that, we'll inspire more women to join the field."

Although women are still in an unfortunate minority in the tech sector, events like the Women in Tech Festival are important to help them meet and learn from each other, says Telyan:

"Networking and building relationships get a bad rap, but these are life skills that are required for being successful in any business field. I encourage all women to participate and attend quality events where you can meet others whom you can learn from or with whom you can collaborate. We all need to be able to rely on people who go through similar life experiences and, by meeting other women in tech, you can meet a mentor, learn about a job opportunity or find a future business partner…

"Events can be a great networking platform for women to meet other women in tech. One of the reasons men move ahead, career-wise, is the 'bro-culture' that exists in the workforce, with men helping other men move ahead. Women need to develop stronger networks with other women and these relationships should help them access more career opportunities in tech."

The Women in Tech Festival will return on the 15th September 2020.