GMIC

The Importance of Diversity in Tech
There are many benefits to evangelizing diversity in the tech workforce. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2018, there will be a total of nearly 1.4 million computing-related jobs added in the U.S., an increase of 22% from 2008. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the number of people graduating from college with computer or information sciences degrees has been decreasing steadily since 2004. At this rate, fewer than one-third of the vacant computing jobs expected by 2018 could be filled by U.S. graduates with computing degrees. Increasingly, non-IT jobs require deep knowledge of computing as well. A computing major or minor provides a versatile skill set that crosses disciplines and is essential in today’s information economy.*Diversity Improves the Bottom LineTechnology companies with the highest representation of women in their senior management teams showed a higher return on equity than did those with fewer or no women in senior management. A recent study determined that racial and gender diversity were associated with increased sales revenue, more customers, and greater profits.*Diversity Enhances InnovationInformation technology informs all aspects of modern society. Incorporating women and people of color is vital to the future of technological innovation. When we bring a wider variety of people into IT, our innovation will be enhanced through the valuable contributions that diverse perspectives bring.*Diversity Promotes EqualityWith technology playing an increasingly crucial role in all of our lives, having more people from different backgrounds participate in its creation break down gender and racial economic inequalities.

Source: NCWIT & Girls in Tech