How to Attract Women to Enterprise IT Jobs
More young women would choose careers in enterprise IT if CIOs would market them as business—not technology—jobs.
Thu, September 20, 2007
Market business technology careers to young women. As part of the process of promoting the field, recruiting firms and HR departments should profile women business technology executives who can inspire young women to choose a career that is as much or more about business as it is about technology. The material, which should be distributed to high school girls and college freshmen, can highlight the exciting work experiences these women have had.
I have been thinking about what else (besides a brochure and video interview with an IT exec) to put in the kit for high school guidance counselors to help a young girl get excited about the world of business, business processes and change. Perhaps we can give them an information-based problem to solve like organizing and recruiting for a new hobby group among registered online club members. That would help our daughters see themselves working in business technology. What do you think would help?
Laurie M. Orlov does research and consulting on business and technology strategy. She is a former vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research.


