Should I stay or should I go?
I planned to study computing at Masters level in 2003 but made a swift U-turn when I discovered the level of sexism and ageism in the industry (Women in IT are scarce and underpaid).
I thought it would be a waste of time as a woman over the age of 40 to bother to pursue a career in a young, male-dominated environment.
That is the reason I have not entered the IT industry. They would not employ me, even if I were the best.
Despite everything, I am looking at it again and came across your article while researching the market. Now I discover this "great shortage" in the UK and people who matter are now calling for more women to enter the field. Just what are my prospects?
J Brown
I am a female IT Manager working in the Publishing Industry. I have 4 women in my team and 12 men. It is a great team but I wish that when I am recruiting more women would apply for the jobs. Women bring a different set of inter-personal skills into the team and its good to have that mix. Typically no women apply for the jobs that I advertise.
If you think you have the skills, or the potential, then you should go for it. You don't necessarily need an MSc.
btw I am also on the upper side of 40!
Posted by: Julie Rogers | Friday, 01 February 2008 at 01:20 PM