Women continue to fight gender gap in workplaces

In the U.S., women make up 46.9% of the workforce, but only 13% of executive positions are held by women with any sort of technology degree.

According to Kyrsten Holland of Frontier Business, in the 2016-2017 year, 20.34% (42,576 people) of tech graduates were women, up from 18.82% (31,334 people) in the past 8 years.

In the workplace, 23.40% of tech employees are women, a little less than half the proportion of women in the workplace overall.

For the companies doing the best for women in the workplace, Booze Allen Hamilton has the highest percentage with 55%, followed by eBay at 45%, CDW at 44%, Insight Enterprises at 43%, and Oracle at 42%. That’s only one tech company in the country whose proportion of female employees is higher than the national percentage.

Companies like Activision Blizzard, Amphenol, Sanmina, and ON Semiconductor did not have a single woman in an executive position.

Barbara Ritter is the Dean of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration.

“The literature suggests that women across industries tend not to negotiate when extended their first job offer and this is compounded as future raises are often a percentage of one’s starting salary,” said Ritter. “In general, men are more likely to be approached regarding raises and promotions and women are less likely to ask for a raise or apply for advanced level positions.”

Holland corroborates with Ritter’s view.

“Although our research did not point to major upward momentum for women’s success in tech right now, as more women become educated and take the step toward that field, the face of the industry just might change in coming years. It’s hard to predict if this significant gender gap will ever close, but one thing is certain: women are still making their mark and will continue to do so despite the odds that are against them—and that’s what will ultimately change the game,” Ritter said.

Coastal Carolina and various universities across the country recognize the significance of this issue and are actively helping women prepare for executive positions in the technology sector.

“It is clear that institutions of higher education need to take steps to ensure that all graduates enter the workforce with the confidence and the skills to negotiate on their own behalf,” said Ritter. “The sessions offered by Career Services (at CCU) related to resume building, networking, and mock interviewing are designed to build that confidence.”

On Oct. 9, CCU and the HTC Honors College and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies is launched the Women in Technology graduate certificate. Magen Raymond, national education development executive from Apple delivered the keynote address.

“This graduate certificate is meant to immediately address the needs in the industry for women to have the leadership and technology skills required to advance,” said Sarah Hottinger, dean of the HTC Honors College in CCU’s email.

More statistics and information can be found on the Frontier Business website.