"Computer chic for women"

British Computer Society Encourages Women to Get in the Technology Industry

'Never has there been a more exciting time to look for a career in IT,' states the British Computer Society (BCS) president Wendy Hall. 'The opportunities for travel, good salaries and working in exciting and dynamic team environments are transforming the image of the computer geek to something more like computer chic.'

Hall, who is also professor of computer science at the University of Southampton, uses the BCS to discuss positive aspects of women working in the media.

The society offers advice for women and emphasises the value added by having more women within the technology industry. When iterating the variety of skills women offer, the society particularly identifies effective communication and team working skills as much needed in the sector.

Women have an equal drive and innovative sense as their male counterparts and, when combined with technical know how, can produce exciting results. An example of these characteristics at work is the Peridot, an invention created by Megan Beynon of IBM, which ensures web links always point to the intended content. The invention won Beynon the Female Innovator of the Year award and made her a notable innovator at IBM.

The best employers recognise the importance of retaining their female staff and therefore encourage women to combine families and work. With so many IT jobs being shift or project based, employers are able to offer many different flexible styles of working.

Read the full British Computer Society article