5 Ways to Thrive as a Woman in IT

Today, more than ever, women embrace their talents and contribute to information technology in extraordinary ways, yet they still make up only one-third of the demographic. 

Here are five ways to thrive as a woman in the tech industry:

1. Escape your comfort zone

Being a woman in IT is a challenge, but don’t let that force you to settle or discourage you from stepping out of your comfort zone. Seize any opportunity to gain a new responsibility. Choose something you’re reluctant about, and face it head-on. Challenging yourself helps you grow your confidence, strengthen your skills, and teach you about yourself – all things needed to thrive in tech.

2. Find a mentor

Finding someone you admire who will take you under their wing in this industry may be challenging. They need to be someone you are comfortable having honest conversations with and go the extra mile to extend their support to you. Whether you find a fellow woman in IT, or an empowering female leader, having a mentor provides a veteran perspective and a trusted ally in an industry where women are underrepresented. 

If you can’t find a mentor figure at your company, find someone else who might inspire you. See blog: 5 Women Who Had a Big Impact On the Tech Industry.

3. Leverage your skills

After putting in the work, you owe it to yourself to leverage your skills and achievements. From communication and organization to whatever your technical niche may be, keeping all your competencies in tune and understanding where they are useful is crucial. Demonstrating your skills and being a lifelong learner puts you ahead of others and reveals your willingness to advance to the next level.

4. Make connections

In an unbalanced industry, bridging differences is essential. Look for commonalities with other employees to overcome any dissimilarities or stereotypes. Building connections with coworkers, attending networking events, and taking advantage of educational resources will help you grow your skills and your community to lean on.

5. Don’t give up

The world needs more women in tech, so sticking with it, increasing awareness, and having resilience are vital to helping you and others thrive. Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound (SMART) goals to make the path to success more realistic and clear. It’s also safe to have a contingency plan to help you get back on track if you fall short of your targets.

These are just five things to remember to succeed as a woman in tech. Remember to make connections, and don’t be discouraged! Sometimes the greatest growth potential comes from stepping out of your comfort zone.

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