COLLEGE OF COMPUTER STUDIES ALUMNI WOMEN’S PERCEPTIONS OF WORKING IN THE ICT INDUSTRY

Abstract

The information and communication technology sector are taking on an increasingly significant impact on the global economy. Women are in high demand for highly qualified workers to meet the growing demand of this expanding sector.

The context for this paper is the ongoing under-representation of women from the College of Computer Studies in the ICT industry, as well as the industry's complexities in retaining women, especially at senior levels. Data on the demographic composition of women from College of Computer Studies alumni in the ICT industry are presented. Furthermore, the author focuses on their domestic management and caring responsibilities, as well as the changes in their professional methods that were brought about as a direct consequence of these responsibilities. Given recent government and business discussions over 'work-life balance' and 'flexible working' in the ICT sector, which are partially in response to the need for a more diversified ICT workforce, these facts are highly relevant. In addition to discussing the career histories of female ICT workers, the author investigates their perspectives of compensation and benefits, working conditions, the talents they possess, and the recognition they may or may not receive in their current positions. They provide evidence of a ‘long-hours’ and ‘presenteeism’ culture in the ICT business, as well as gendered informal networks inside the industry. Additionally, they analyze the perspectives of female ICT workers about the industry's current and potential future image. The findings emphasize the continuous masculinization of ICT employment, as well as some of the obstacles women encounter while working in statistically and symbolically male-dominated environments.