Empathy, inspiration, agility – Essential skills for women in IT

INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day serves as an urgent call to action, emphasising the imperative to empower and include women across all sectors with its resonant theme, ‘Let’s #InspireInclusion to help forge a better, more inclusive world for women’.

Despite advancements in gender equality and women’s empowerment over the years, women continue to be under-represented in information technology (IT), as they face barriers that limit their entry and advancement in the industry. As technology continues to permeate every aspect of our lives, from communication to commerce, health care to entertainment, the need for diverse perspectives and talents within the IT sector becomes paramount.

One of the women currently making significant strides in the IT industry is Kathryn Chin See, product manager, BizPay Workforce Management, MC Systems. For more than 10 years, Chin See has worked in different areas of technology — from service delivery and support to solution design and development — transforming business and workforce management to create the greatest possible value.

“Technology has always been a part of my life in some way,” she declared. “I see technology as a resource that unlocks opportunities to execute faster and more efficiently, and to create access to education, financial services, jobs, and people. Every day I get to make decisions that improve people’s experiences — that’s the most fulfilling feeling I could ever ask for.”

The representation of women in IT remains disproportionately low. A study titled ‘Gender Equality and Women’s and Girls’ Autonomy in the Digital Era: Contributions of Education and Digital Transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean (2023)’, conducted by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, shed light on a concerning statistic: only 18 per cent of degrees pursued in IT were attained by women up to 2019. This revelation underscores the pressing need to prioritise initiatives aimed at encouraging and supporting more women to pursue careers in the IT sector.

Chin See opines that the call for greater inclusion of women in IT is not just about addressing gender inequality, it is also about unlocking the full potential of the industry.

“By tapping into the unique perspectives and talents of women, the tech industry can drive greater innovation and contribute to positive change in society,” she pointed out.

Chin See staunchly believes that despite the prevalent barriers for women in the industry, they should steadfastly follow through with their IT career dreams. Urging women to seize opportunities and capture experiences in technology-related fields, she underscored the vital role of women in addressing the shortage of tech resources in both public and private sectors.

Against this background, Chin See offers some invaluable advice to women who are considering entering the IT field, highlighting three essential skills for their success: empathy, inspiration, and agility.

Essential skills

for success in IT

Empathy: “We’re solving problems for people, whether it’s a mobile app, automating a process, or designing support infrastructure. On the other side of the technology are people who are trying to achieve a goal. We must listen to people’s needs, feel their pain, and simulate their experiences to design a solution that will truly create value and support their goals.”

Inspiration: “To design a piece of technology or create a solution that people really love, we need to be inspired. Every fibre of us needs to be connected to the purpose and the mission. This purpose is what keeps us going when the days get hard, the nights get long, and the proverbial brick walls seem insurmountable. Inspiration galvanises us and gives us the capacity to build the best for others.”

Agility: “Technology changes fast and time is expensive. Being able to capitalise on opportunities, learn lessons, and pivot quickly is key to being successful.”

“The IT sector is constantly evolving and adapting to emerging technologies. Therefore, it is imperative that women who aspire to pursue careers in IT are equipped with the mindset and skills needed so they can make a meaningful impact in shaping our digital future,” Chin See advised.