Women in Technology
 In
the last decade, women have made huge inroads into the stereotypically
male world of high technology. "Women in Technology"
no longer means the lone girl-nerd with taped-up glasses. Today,
girls grow up with computers in their schoolrooms, and many adult
women work with computers daily in their jobs. Combine that with
numbers of women mobile phone owners, and it's difficult to find
a working-age or younger woman who isn't involved with technology
somehow.
However, it's not only younger women learning the tricks of
modern technology. Many community groups offer classes for older
individuals to learn about computers, how to use them - even
computer repairs. Independent computer retailers might offer
beginner instruction with the purchase of a new computersuch
as laptops and notebooks. And beyond computers, mobile phones
offer an amazing array of 'extra' services women of any age will
find useful, from basic phone service and text messaging to internet
access, built-in cameras, calendars with alarm reminders, and
even subscription services where messages will be delivered about
news and other subjects of interest.
 In
a world where even automobiles have built-in computers controlling
their engines and providing navigation services in the newest
models, it's in every woman's interest to become familiar with
new technology. It could open up new job opportunities for you,
provide a convenient way to keep in touch with far-away friends
and relatives, allow you to research subjects of interest or
help with school work, or just provide an enjoyable past-time
on quiet evenings.
Beyond "users" of varying levels, women are increasingly
working in technology industries as well. Internet related jobs
are particularly popular, with web site design perhaps at the
top of the list. However, many women who start in web design
discover more specialized internet professions, and branch out
into "behind the scenes" jobs like website advertising
and promotion, or site usability analysis, or industry consulting
on various topics.
 There are also
more women in engineering and programming fields than ever before.
Women are not only using technology in ever-increasing numbers,
they're helping to design it from the ground-up. One woman designed
(and started her own business with) a self-contained joystick
that had many classic videogames built-in and ready to play as
soon as it was plugged in to a television. Other women are working
at large corporations like Microsoft, Nokia and Apple, helping
their design teams engineer the hardware and software that you
use every day.
With the technology industry growing every day, many schools
are offering courses designed to qualify their graduates for
jobs in the technolgy industry, from basic computer repair to
programming and electrical engineering. It's an undeniably promising
career move, as it seems high-tech gadgets will become an even
more important part of our lives for years to come.
Women in Technology Links
2005 Women in Technology
Awards
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