The world needs more skilled, talented software engineers, industry leaders, executives, founders, and VCs. To make that happen, the world needs more women in the tech industry. Women Who Code, the 200,000-member professional organization is committed to achieving that vision.
Women Who Code CEO and board chair Alaina Percival says, “The technology industry is a great industry for women, and it’s only going to get better as more enter and succeed.”
Although you may have some familiarity with Women Who Code, there are a few facts that may surprise you — and may inspire you to partner with this organization and encourage the women on your team to join:
Membership Breakdown
Women Who Code members operate at all levels of the software industry. About half are software engineers, 26 percent hold other technology roles, 15 percent are executives and managers, 5 percent work in data science, and 4 percent in design.
Percival adds that the average age of members is 30. “Some people assume women in the software industry are beginners,” she says. “Our members are actually very experienced.”
Women Who Code Resources
Members have access to a wide range of coding resources, tutorials, videos, and other educational materials that empower women by helping them expand their skills. Women Who Code and its members share their expertise in areas, including:
- Python
- Android and iOS
- Blockchain
- Web applications
- Security
- Machine learning
- Natural language processing (NLP)
Meetings Near You
There’s a good chance that the women in your organization can attend a Women Who Code event nearby. Percival comments that the organization holds an average of six cost-free, in-person events every day, totaling about 2,000 events throughout the world each year.
“By having those events,” Percival says, “we connect women in the technology industry so they can share their experiences and seek advice on resolving issues within their companies.”
“Women in technology are so under-represented. Many are the only woman on their teams. The community we have built lets women know they do belong in the tech industry,” she says. “They can see there are so many smart women working in tech, there’s so much opportunity, and they’re so needed.”
Investment in the Future
Women Who Code grants about $1 million each year in scholarships to coding schools to help people learning to code or who want to learn new coding languages and to provide conference tickets to women in the industry.
Women Who Code reports that 80 percent of participants in the organization have advanced their careers, and the organization focuses on developing role models and promoting mentorship to help women at earlier stages of their careers reach their goals.
Women Who Code May Help You Find Your Next Rock Star Employee
Software companies have the opportunity to post openings on the Women Who Code job board. These listings enable you to engage with the organization’s expansive, global membership and recruit talented women to join your team.
Women Who Code also offers guidance to employers about how to recruit, hire and retain talented women. The organization partners with industry leaders to support diversity and inclusion programs and help develop leaders within their organizations.
If your diversity initiative is going nowhere, and you’re ready to build a team that’s more productive, innovative and profitable, exploring the resources that Women Who Code can offer your company is a smart place to start to make some changes.
