Tips for women on how to break into the tech industry

The tech industry is considered one of the fastest-growing industries globally. However, it still largely remains a male-dominated sector. Although the gap between the genders has been steadily reducing in the past few years, women are still underrepresented in tech.

Breaking into such a field can be a daunting task for women. The tips below can go a long way towards helping you get your foot in the door.

• Read. In order to succeed in the tech industry, you need to understand how it works, who the major players are and how you fit it. Read as much material as you can get your hands on to give you a solid foundation.

• Learn. Other than reading up on the industry, you need to continually sharpen your knowledge. A basic proficiency and understanding of coding is imperative for women who want to build careers in tech. These days, you can even enrol in online classes to fit in with your busy schedule.

• Seek out freelancing opportunities. Another way to stand out from the hundreds of other candidates is by seeking out opportunities to increase your experience. Nowadays, start-up companies and other entrepreneurs opt to outsource some of their functions to freelancers, so you can gain experience this way. Such businesses also rely on an umbrella company to help manage finances associated with their freelancers and contractors, so you are assured that you will get your dues for any work done.

• Stay up to date on social media. Furthermore, learn to utilise social media to promote your work and passions. It doesn’t matter whether you have numerous followers or not, just keep updating your profile with your opinions or links to posts and articles you find interesting in your area of specialisation. This helps you craft a desirable digital persona for potential employers.

Lastly, learn to network if you want to get ahead in this field. Your network of colleagues is invaluable in finding opportunities that you can take advantage of. It might seem hard, but it is very possible for you as a woman to build a successful career in the tech industry.