sponsorship isn't enough: why tech companies are failing to attract female engineers
TRANSCRIPT
Sponsorship isn't enough: Why Tech Companies Are Failing To
Attract Female Engineers
Lesbians Who Tech 2015 SF Summit
by Adria Richards
3 3 Billion People
Worldwide Internet Access
http://www.internetlivestats.com/internet-users/
Talent + Traction + Valuation =
Awesome Startup!
1.What Developers Want
In the Workplace
84% said that “knowing I am helping to make a positive difference in the world
is more important to me than professional recognition.”
http://www.bentley.edu/centers/center-for-women-and-business/millennials-workplace
2.Offer competitive and equal salaries
for all genders
127 professors in biology, chemistry or physicswere asked to review student applications for a lab manager position in a double-blind study
Professors asked to evaluate things:- Competence- Hireability- Salary Recommendation- Amount of mentoring they would give
The scientists rated the male student more competent, more likely to be hired, deserving of a
better salary, and worth spending more time mentoring.
Male faculty rated male student 4.01 and female student 3.33
Female faculty rated male student 4.10 and female student 3.32
77% of HBS graduates overall—73% of men and 85% of women—believe that
“prioritizing family over work” is the number one barrier to women’s career
advancement
https://hbr.org/2014/12/rethink-what-you-know-about-high-achieving-women
3. Serenade Geeky Women and Men
with your code
Maintain A Company Blog Focused on Technology and Developers
Have Open Source Company Projects
Talent knocking at your door
4.Overhaul
your job descriptions and recruiting methods
Kitchen Sink Job Postings
Source - Examiner:9 year old shares list of 'boyfriend rules' with 6 year old sis. Brilliant!
Remember these lists?
http://www.hiremorewomenintech.com/
Actively promote from within
Companies risk the loss of men as well as women by not allowing employees to accommodate personal and family
values as part of the way they accomplish their work.
http://www.bentley.edu/centers/center-for-women-and-business/millennials-workplace
http://money.cnn.com/2015/01/23/investing/shazam-tech-startups-lose-money/
Don’t just sponsor, send developers!
Have your developers meet their potential and future co-workers at a low pressure tech events your company is sponsoring.
Build rapport, Build trust.
5.Offer unique
yet valuable perks
Curate a culture of mentoring, both up and down
Great health insurance that covers partners, Transgender health services
and maternity leave for all genders
Support Lifelong Learning
"ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated” pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifelong_learning
And Finally…
Update your ‘About Us’ pages and stock photography to be more inclusive and not just
highlighting the ‘rock star’ founders
