We work in a man’s world, or do we?

By Elanza (Kruger) Coetzee - Agile People Business Manager | Agile People

According to Simnikiwe Mzekandaba on ITWeb , the CEE's 21st Employment Equity Report shows that the percentage of female employees in the South African ICT sector increased from 39.5% in 2021 to 41.3% in 2023, highlighting the growing presence of women in this field.

I am in the People department of Agile Bridge , a Software Development House, and I have been in the industry for three years now – and I LOVE IT. The personality types and intellectual knowledge of the people we work with are next level, and the passion we all have for what we do is contagious. What makes me proudest of being in this industry is observing the necessity of a woman’s touch in what we do. Whether it is software development, business analysis, account management, or supporting departments in software companies, such as HR and Finance, women play a crucial role.

Looking back at my final school years, when I had to decide what I was going to study, I honestly did not even know about Software Development or the different career paths one could follow in this industry. Unless your parents or someone you knew did a similar job, many of my peers were also uninformed about careers in IT. If I could turn back time, my decision on a degree would have been different.

Either way, I am very happy that I landed in the tech industry. I have gained so much insight and appreciation for people in tech and achieved a lot for my own career as well. Since it is Women’s Month and we are focusing on women in tech, I would like to share my observations. Being a full-time mother or partner or having any big responsibilities outside of the hours that jobs in IT require is hard!

So, there are two points that I would like to communicate.

First, be proud of the role you play in the tech industry and own the space you take up. Grow as much and as fast as you can in this industry by learning new skills, expanding your network, and making a true difference in the job you were appointed to. Encourage the youth to pursue studies in our industry. We need to educate young people about the possibilities in the world of technology. As I mentioned earlier, some schools do not inform all students about careers in IT, and we need to keep up the growth of tech professionals in South Africa.

Secondly, always remember your feminine essence in this world. Never forget how important your presence is at home, just as much as it is at work. I advise women to choose their employers wisely. Work for a company that respects all the different roles you need to play in your life as a woman. It is essential to work for a company that sees your value and potential and supports your career in IT while also allowing you to attend to your responsibilities outside of work. There is no such thing as work-life balance anymore, but more of a work-life blend. With this, I am referring to flexibility at work. When deadlines and KPIs are met, you should be allowed to attend your child’s soccer game or have lunch with friends or partners.

Let’s celebrate the strides women have made in tech and continue to empower each other to thrive both at work and at home. Together, we can redefine what it means to work in a 'man's world.'

View Simnikiwe Mzekandaba's full article here: https://www.itweb.co.za/article/more-women-power-into-sas-male-dominated-ict-job-market/WnpNgq21YbVMVrGd