According to a survey, girls become interested in STEM subjects and careers at age 11, but lose interest by age 15. What happens during those formative years that turn girls off to a life of tech? After seeing the current gender inequality in STEM environments, the lack of relatable female mentors and practical hands-on experience with STEM subjects, many girls feel out of luck when it comes to getting started with STEM.Â
To combat these subtle but often very real gatekeeping practices as well as the headline-grabbing horrifying ones, many companies at the corporate level are staring to make changes. Women fill 38% of Intuit’s workforce, a whole 8% higher than the industry average. By working to invest in the recruitment and retention of female employees, Intuit has begun encouraging leadership development, establishing results-based policies, and offering flexible work schedules for employees.Â
Gender bias still exists as does outright harassment and assault, especially in the boys’ club that is the tech industry, but times are changing and every year more opportunities are set up for women to succeed in an industry that desperately needs their voices. National and corporate initiatives alike are coming around to understanding the importance of supporting women in tech.
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