Why We Need More Women in Tech
The lack of women in the technology field is not only a social issue, but it is also an economic issue. As information and technology (I&T) continues to transform the nation’s economy, the lack of women in the I&T workforce directly affects the nation’s economic future. Drexel CCI understands that the underrepresentation of women in these fields is among the largest contributors to the worsening I&T talent shortage.
The Women in Tech Initiative addresses head on a problem that has not only persisted, but worsened in recent years. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 26 percent of professional computing positions in the U.S. workforce are held by women. With 3.5 million computing-related job openings expected by 2026, it is more important than ever to recruit, retain, and advance women in the technology field.
CCI's Competitive Advantage
As one of the major and most comprehensive I&T programs in the country, Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) features a rich portfolio of academic programs in the computing and information science fields with a large, dedicated and world-class faculty. Situated in an industrial and technological hub and the sixth largest city in the nation, Drexel offers tremendous opportunities for students. In addition to a commitment to diversity and inclusion within the College, CCI aims to significantly increase the number of women and students of all genders who support the advancement of women in tech receiving I&T training across the University in the coming years.
The Women in Tech Initiative, centered on promoting the importance of the recruitment and retention of women in undergraduate majors. Through this Initiative, CCI is poised to lead a cadre of partners at this seminal moment in the history of technology and education. “With the ever-increasing need for technology talent across industries, and the invaluable perspective and skills that women bring to the field, we cannot afford to ignore the current imbalance in our classrooms and in the workforce,” says Dean and Isaac L. Auerbach Professor Yi Deng, PhD. “We are continuing to work with University, College, and industry colleagues and partners to address this need head on, in building robust programs and resources that are both scalable and sustainable.”
The Initiative's efforts are focused in the following key areas:
- A strengthened pipeline of women and students of all genders who support the advancement of women in tech will be established through new and reinvigorated relationships with high school and two-year colleges, as well as through an enhanced approach to recruitment and marketing driven by deepened engagement and targeted messaging.
- The creation of 100 scholarships for women and students of all genders who support the advancement of women in tech pursuing information and technology education at CCI will serve as the foundation of expanded financial support and increased access. These may range in scholarships in computer science, software engineering, and across all of our computing programs.
- Innovations in curriculum and pedagogy coupled with expanded student support systems will ensure an inclusive culture that advances and encourages the social and professional development of all CCI students, while purposefully fostering retention and bolstering college-wide interactions of women students and faculty members. “It’s really important for women to inspire and motive each other — especially in a fast-changing industry like technology,” says Farheen Zehra, BS computer science '18.
Women in Tech Workshops and Online Chats for High School Students
High school students and their parents/legal guardians are welcome to participate in upcoming Women in Tech online chats and in-person workshops on Drexel University's University City Campus in Philadelphia, PA. These events are designed to inspire high school women and students of all genders who are interested in promoting women in tech towards careers in computing and information sciences through practical activities and talks that ignite a life-long passion for STEM education and careers.
Stay tuned to our Events Calendar and/or our Visit Days site for announcements on upcoming Women in Tech workshops and online chats.
National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Academic Alliance Faculty Representatives
The below Drexel CCI faculty members proudly serve as Academic Alliance (AA) Representatives through the National Center for Women & Information Technology’s (NCWIT). For more information, please visit the Academic Alliance at NCWIT website.