Breaking and entering the male domain. Women in the IT industry

Abstract

Interviews with Australian IT professionals (twenty-two women and two men) working in technical areas are referenced to explore how the masculinity of the IT industry is perceived by women working as IT professionals. The skills the interviewees see as important for success in this industry and which have helped them to pursue a satisfactory and fulfilling career are also discussed. Mentoring is suggested as a means of changing young women's negative perceptions or IT as a career, in order to improve female participation in IT education and the IT industry.