EXPERT COLOUMN
JENNY BRIANT, ACADEMY OPERATIONS
DIRECTOR AT TEN10
SUE QUENSE, CHIEF COMMERCIAL OFFICER AT AVEVA
STEM, ROLE MODELS AND FLEXIBILITY: INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WOMEN IN TECH
Almost half( 43 %) of women in the workplace are considering leaving – not due to lack of ambition, but because they cannot see a clear path to progress. That’ s according to new data from tech and transformation talent specialist, La Fosse, in its Women at Work Blueprint report.
The research was based on insights from more than 1,700 women, most of whom work in the tech sector. The finding showed that 43 % of female career exits are driven by a lack of clear progression, with inflexible work arrangements( 42 %), lack of support for skill development( 32 %) and gender bias or discrimination( 15 %) also major factors.
Having hosted a roundtable on the topic of Women in Technology during GITEX Global last year, this data is shocking – but not surprising. The women who took part in our discussion shared perspectives on imposter syndrome, the impact of motherhood on careers, the crucial role of STEM in young women and the role of male colleagues in championing leadership opportunities.
As a mother with a pre-school age child, I too have wondered how it will be possible to maintain and thrive in my career while juggling a school day that starts and ends outside of my working hours, and school holidays that stretch well beyond my annual leave allowance.
For the tech sector – and for future innovation – the consequences could be catastrophic, as highlighted by Jenny Briant, Academy Operations Director at Ten10.
Sue Quense, Chief Commercial Officer at AVEVA, highlighted the importance of STEM pathways for women, along with mentors and role models.
“ We need to do more to develop a STEM path for women going forward. As a woman in this industry, I’ ve found that having strong role models and supportive male advocates can make a big difference in helping women break the glass ceiling, but I also think exposing women to STEM careers earlier in life is a key factor,” she said.
“ I grew up in a family where I had great role models who worked in technical fields and encouraged me and my siblings to explore the opportunities available.
For children who don’ t have a family member in a STEM field, we need to continue to make it a priority to showcase role models in schools as early as possible.
“ If I had advice for women looking to advance, I’ d say be bold, look for opportunities to learn new skills and don’ t be afraid to fail.” p
She said:“ If nearly half of women in tech walk away, the consequences will be drastic: businesses lose critical skills, teams lose diversity of thought, and the technologies shaping our future risk becoming biased.
“ For instance, without women helping shape emerging AI systems and LLMs, they may be trained on biased data sets that reinforce stereotypes.”
The solution, she says, is straightforward.“ Clear progression routes, flexibility at work and mentoring that helps challenge negative feelings like impostor syndrome. Similarly, outdated hiring criteria should be re-evaluated and leadership pathways made visible. Retaining women is how companies stay innovative and competitive in a market that demands nothing less.”
BYJESS ABELL CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER
18 INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE www. intelligentcio. com