Shaping the future: Women in technology in a defining moment
ARTICLE SUMMARY
Luan Hughes, CIO at Telent, shares her vision for a more inclusive and diverse tech industry. Drawing on her extensive experience and passion for empowering women in technology, Luan highlights the need to redefine career pathways, embrace diverse perspectives, and foster inclusive workplace cultures. From breaking down stereotypes to creating non-traditional entry points, this piece explores how women can thrive in tech by leveraging creativity, confidence, and curiosity.
Luan Hughes is the Chief Information Officer at Telent, bringing a wealth of experience in leading transformative technology initiatives across diverse sectors.
With a strong background in IT strategy, digital innovation, and operational excellence, Luan has established herself as a visionary leader in the tech industry. Passionate about championing diversity and inclusion, she is a vocal advocate for empowering women in technology, drawing on her own journey to inspire and support others in breaking barriers. Her expertise and commitment to fostering inclusive workplace cultures make her a powerful voice in reshaping the narrative for women in tech.
The technology industry is at a pivotal point, where innovation is no longer limited to traditional STEM pathways.
As technology becomes deeply embedded in every part of our lives, it’s time to rethink how we define and create career opportunities within the sector. For women in particular, this offers a unique chance to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and carve new pathways into tech.
Traditionally, technology has been framed in narrow terms – primarily focusing on coding, data science, or engineering. While these skills are vital, they represent only a fraction of what the tech industry encompasses. Today, the field offers a wealth of opportunities that go far beyond writing code. From user experience design to project management and problem-solving roles, technology careers can align with a wide variety of interests and strengths.
Yet, women often feel excluded due to persistent stereotypes. Women hold just 26% of tech roles in larger companies, dropping to 10% at the senior leadership level. Gender bias and labels can perpetuate the problem by discouraging women from exploring careers in technology before they even begin. The truth is, there is a place in tech for everyone, regardless of their background. The challenge lies in broadening the narrative and making these opportunities visible.
The power of diverse perspectives
In a world increasingly driven by user-centric solutions, empathy helps bridge the gap between complex technological tools and the people they serve. Whether it is designing a seamless user experience or improving customer satisfaction, this skill plays a critical role in delivering value through technology.
Broadening the pathway into the tech industry is essential for sparking passion and inspiring more women to pursue careers in technology. By creating opportunities for diverse talents to enter the field, we cultivate a richer ecosystem that thrives on varied perspectives and experiences. One way of doing this is through early career programmes such as apprenticeships and internships, which provide invaluable opportunities to explore diverse career pathways while gaining hands-on experience.
Promoting these initiatives can make technology careers more accessible, particularly for individuals who may not pursue traditional academic or professional routes. This approach fosters an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish, paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic tech landscape.
Overcoming barriers and building confidence
Despite progress, many women face challenges when entering and navigating the tech industry. Confidence, or a lack thereof, often emerges as a significant hurdle. In male-dominated environments, women may feel hesitant to voice their ideas, fearing that others in the room have more experience or expertise.
The solution lies in fostering creative spaces that ignite passion and interest among women, offering non-traditional pathways into the tech industry. By prioritising creativity and experimentation, these environments allow women to explore and develop their skills in a low-pressure environment. By providing the freedom to test ideas and discover new interest, these spaces act as powerful catalysts, sparking curiosity and confidence. Through such alternative routes, women can find their passion and build the foundation needed to thrive in the industry.
The role of workplace culture
While the tech industry has made strides in improving diversity, there’s still a long road ahead. Many organisations have introduced proactive initiatives to attract more women, but recruitment is only part of the solution. Workplace culture plays an equally critical role.
Tech teams must foster inclusive environments that value diverse perspectives. This involves not just gender diversity but also diversity of thought. Encouraging various problem-solving approaches and ways of thinking leads to more innovative and effective technology solutions. Leadership teams, in particular, must intentionally create spaces where all voices are heard and valued.
Broadening the funnel: rethinking career pathways
To truly transform the tech landscape, we need to broaden the funnel of entry points into the industry. For a long time, the narrative around tech careers has been dominated by traditional STEM pathways. While these remain important, they are not the only routes to success.
It is time to highlight alternative pathways – roles that leverage skills in business strategy, design, and leadership. This broader approach can attract women who might not initially consider themselves a fit for the tech world. By presenting technology careers as diverse, dynamic, and accessible, we can inspire the next generation of women to step into the field with confidence.
Looking ahead: redefining success in tech
The future of technology depends on its ability to embrace and reflect the diversity of the world it serves. Women bring invaluable perspectives and skills to the table, driving innovation and enhancing the impact of technology on society.
By breaking down stereotypes, fostering inclusive cultures, and rethinking career pathways, we can unlock the full potential of women in tech and in doing so, create a stronger, more inclusive industry for everyone.
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Shaping the future: Women in technology in a defining moment
ARTICLE SUMMARY
Luan Hughes is the Chief Information Officer at Telent, bringing a wealth of experience in leading transformative technology initiatives across diverse sectors.
The technology industry is at a pivotal point, where innovation is no longer limited to traditional STEM pathways.
As technology becomes deeply embedded in every part of our lives, it’s time to rethink how we define and create career opportunities within the sector. For women in particular, this offers a unique chance to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and carve new pathways into tech.
Technology is for everyone
Traditionally, technology has been framed in narrow terms – primarily focusing on coding, data science, or engineering. While these skills are vital, they represent only a fraction of what the tech industry encompasses. Today, the field offers a wealth of opportunities that go far beyond writing code. From user experience design to project management and problem-solving roles, technology careers can align with a wide variety of interests and strengths.
Yet, women often feel excluded due to persistent stereotypes. Women hold just 26% of tech roles in larger companies, dropping to 10% at the senior leadership level. Gender bias and labels can perpetuate the problem by discouraging women from exploring careers in technology before they even begin. The truth is, there is a place in tech for everyone, regardless of their background. The challenge lies in broadening the narrative and making these opportunities visible.
The power of diverse perspectives
In a world increasingly driven by user-centric solutions, empathy helps bridge the gap between complex technological tools and the people they serve. Whether it is designing a seamless user experience or improving customer satisfaction, this skill plays a critical role in delivering value through technology.
Broadening the pathway into the tech industry is essential for sparking passion and inspiring more women to pursue careers in technology. By creating opportunities for diverse talents to enter the field, we cultivate a richer ecosystem that thrives on varied perspectives and experiences. One way of doing this is through early career programmes such as apprenticeships and internships, which provide invaluable opportunities to explore diverse career pathways while gaining hands-on experience.
Promoting these initiatives can make technology careers more accessible, particularly for individuals who may not pursue traditional academic or professional routes. This approach fosters an environment where innovation and creativity can flourish, paving the way for a more inclusive and dynamic tech landscape.
Overcoming barriers and building confidence
Despite progress, many women face challenges when entering and navigating the tech industry. Confidence, or a lack thereof, often emerges as a significant hurdle. In male-dominated environments, women may feel hesitant to voice their ideas, fearing that others in the room have more experience or expertise.
The solution lies in fostering creative spaces that ignite passion and interest among women, offering non-traditional pathways into the tech industry. By prioritising creativity and experimentation, these environments allow women to explore and develop their skills in a low-pressure environment. By providing the freedom to test ideas and discover new interest, these spaces act as powerful catalysts, sparking curiosity and confidence. Through such alternative routes, women can find their passion and build the foundation needed to thrive in the industry.
The role of workplace culture
While the tech industry has made strides in improving diversity, there’s still a long road ahead. Many organisations have introduced proactive initiatives to attract more women, but recruitment is only part of the solution. Workplace culture plays an equally critical role.
Tech teams must foster inclusive environments that value diverse perspectives. This involves not just gender diversity but also diversity of thought. Encouraging various problem-solving approaches and ways of thinking leads to more innovative and effective technology solutions. Leadership teams, in particular, must intentionally create spaces where all voices are heard and valued.
Broadening the funnel: rethinking career pathways
To truly transform the tech landscape, we need to broaden the funnel of entry points into the industry. For a long time, the narrative around tech careers has been dominated by traditional STEM pathways. While these remain important, they are not the only routes to success.
It is time to highlight alternative pathways – roles that leverage skills in business strategy, design, and leadership. This broader approach can attract women who might not initially consider themselves a fit for the tech world. By presenting technology careers as diverse, dynamic, and accessible, we can inspire the next generation of women to step into the field with confidence.
Looking ahead: redefining success in tech
The future of technology depends on its ability to embrace and reflect the diversity of the world it serves. Women bring invaluable perspectives and skills to the table, driving innovation and enhancing the impact of technology on society.
By breaking down stereotypes, fostering inclusive cultures, and rethinking career pathways, we can unlock the full potential of women in tech and in doing so, create a stronger, more inclusive industry for everyone.
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