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Coping Strategies for Women in IT

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the grow-a-pair-oh-wait dept.

Ian Lamont writes "Female workers are losing ground in the IT profession, reports Computerworld, citing statistics which show a sharp drop in the number of female CS grads since the 1980s, and a decline in the percentage of women in the IT profession since 2001. According to the article, causes include pervasive stereotypes and the locker-room atmosphere found in some IT shops — attitudes which some readers may recognize from the comments in a Slashdot thread last week. The IT professionals interviewed in the Computerworld article discuss a variety of strategies for coping. They range from trying to 'out-boy the boys' to watching what you say, as one Sun Microsystems executive describes:'It's not unusual to be the only woman at a meeting, she says, and because of that, there's often a tendency to remain silent unless you think you have something really remarkable to say. "As one member of a small group, you feel you have no right to be mediocre ... You're not just representing yourself; you're representing [females] with a capital F.'"

11 of 648 comments (clear)

  1. More than just The Chubb Corp. by eldavojohn · · Score: 4, Funny

    McKeon eventually found a welcoming culture at The Chubb Corp., where she is now an application manager, but other women in IT simply leave the industry. Other female friendly IT companies include: There are tons of women friendly companies out there!
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    My work here is dung.
  2. Need Good Looks by JeremyGNJ · · Score: 2, Funny

    Here's how to cope in IT as a woman: Be Pretty!

    Its kinda sad, but true. I've worked in IT for 10 years. Of the dozen or so women I've worked with the successful ones are attractive (or sometimes slutty instead). The ones that are less than attractive seem to have a more difficult time.

    Dont get me wrong I've seen a couple non-attractive women who REALLY know their stuff do very well. And I've never seen an attractive bimbo get far in IT. However for the middle-of-the-line types, the attractive ones seem to do better. Though I suppose this isnt specific to IT.

  3. Errr, no... by Otter · · Score: 5, Funny
    ...citing statistics which show a sharp drop in the number of female CS grads since the 1980s...

    Actually, they show a sharp drop in the percentage of female CS grads. I'd bet that the number is way up since 1985.

    Slashdot, as always, does its part to demonstrate that men aren't so great at math either...

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    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
  4. Re:Different by iknownuttin · · Score: 3, Funny
    Well, I've also noticed that there isn't a good representation of women in garbage collection force either. Oh no, they're also under-represented in the mines!

    absolutely! And I want mention the under representation of men among mothers. Why is there this prejudice against men having babies? I would love to give birth, but I can't. I'm not allowed to. I want to sue, but noooooooooo! I'm a man and men have it made and therefore my case won't go to court. And is it allowed for my wife to impregnate me? Noooooooo, again another prejudice! I wish we'd put aside these prejudices and just allow folks to be who they are!

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    I prefer Flambe as apposed flamebait.
  5. Re:Been there, seen that... by BWJones · · Score: 4, Funny

    Shut up. Your blog has cheesecake [utah.edu] and flowers [utah.edu] on it. What do you know about being a man?

    Ah, but I also have guns and ground support aircraft with even bigger guns and million dollar microscopes and cars and more cars and hot women on my blog.

    I'm quite comfortable with who I am, but are those links man enough for you?

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    Visit Jonesblog and say hello.
  6. Re:Different by D-Cypell · · Score: 4, Funny

    absolutely! And I want mention the under representation of men among mothers. Why is there this prejudice against men having babies? I would love to give birth, but I can't.

    Where's the Fetus going to gestate? In a box?

  7. My dream was crushed by suv4x4 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I've always dreamed about being a bikini and bra model. But because I'm a man, the industry is treating my unfairly, and I could never work in my field, and any attempt was met with cruel ridicule and attacks.

    Where are the articles for coping with that, huh :( ?

  8. A better topic by Hao+Wu · · Score: 2, Funny
    "Coping Strategies For Women in IT" --> Strategies for Coping With Women in IT

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    I suggest you read Slashdot
  9. Re:Been there, seen that... by djdbass · · Score: 3, Funny

    Girls?
    We have one of those. Her communications are overly elaborate. I wonder if they're all like that...

  10. Re:Been there, seen that... by corbettw · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just treat your female colleagues the same as you do your male ones: slap 'em on the ass and call 'em your bitch when you prove them wrong in something. What's so wrong with that?

    Gotta go, I have a meeting with HR, not sure what about. Shouldn't take long, though.

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    God invented whiskey so the Irish would not rule the world.
  11. Re:Been there, seen that... by fishbowl · · Score: 2, Funny



    >I've heard many men make that joke, and no women.

    Does not surprise me. My wife carries a Smith & Wesson 686, and would not touch a Sig. They stovepipe.

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    -fb Everything not expressly forbidden is now mandatory.