For decades the IT community has been notorious for its obvious gender gap, but tech companies are now actively seeking to make the IT sector more appealing to women. Cloud computing platforms, like Microsoft Azure, are currently spreading like wildfire and are expected to grow in popularity even more, delivering highly scalable and elastic technology solutions to businesses of all sizes in a way that’s never been possible before.
In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts that cloud computing will bring an additional 1.4 million jobs in the next six years. This is a good sign for women entering IT as it’s one of the elements that is helping pave the way for women in the IT workforce.
Women Helping Women
One of the most important forces paving the way for women in the workforce is women themselves. Many women who are already part of the IT industry are creating technology solutions in the cloud computing world with the specific goal of amplifying women’s contributions in the technology world.
Jocelyn DeGance Graham started Cloud Network of Women (CloudNOW) in 2011, working with both cloud technology firm giants and startups alike to bring women into the network. There’s already several women working as executives in the cloud computing world in roles ranging from marketing to president and founders of individual companies. Their expertise in both technical and business model aspects of the cloud make them leaders in the industry.
The Collaborative Nature of the Cloud
With the IT industry making the shift to cloud based computing, women now have more chances than ever before to enter the field and lead the way. Women, generally speaking, are attracted to areas that require collaboration and project management. Additionally, women are seeing the business utility in cloud platforms and incorporating the creative aspects of technology.
Microsoft Azure, for instance, provides many integrated services that save companies time and money in the areas of networking, data, and storage. Women are quickly taking over one of the most critical functions of the cloud – namely handling a large amount of data. As natural problem solvers, women are finding ways to manage that data, deciding what data is important and how it can be used as an asset for individual companies.
The Cloud Provides Flexibility
Another aspect of the cloud that is attracting women is the great deal of flexibility it provides, according to IT World. People can be “plug into” the process from almost anywhere with an internet connection, meaning many women who are stay-at-home mothers can also play an integral role in cloud computing processes. There’s a greater ability to balance a family life and be part of the latest technology solutions.
Cloud environments can be managed with less hands-on and face-to-face time, with an increasing number of business being conducted on the internet through emails and over the phone. In other words, the cloud plays to women’s talents and schedules.
As the cloud continues to evolve, women will certainly play a key role, and many of them will be leading the way.