Women in tech urged to back themselves in tech careers

Technology leaders are using International Women in Tech Day to call for faster progress on gender representation and to encourage women to pursue technical roles even when they do not feel fully prepared.

Their comments focus on women's access to technical careers, the barriers that persist in male-dominated environments, and the growing sense of purpose in applying engineering to social and environmental goals.

Emily Steen, AI Solutions Developer at digital consultancy Thrive, described how a planned business career shifted into engineering and artificial intelligence after early practical experience. Her path reflects a wider trend in which non-traditional routes and on-the-job learning draw people into specialist roles they had not originally targeted.

She said a lack of confidence, rather than ability, still stops many women from stepping into technical positions or taking on stretch assignments. In her view, women often wait until they feel fully ready before applying for roles or speaking up in technical discussions.

"I did not set out to work in AI. I had my sights set on a business career when I started my degree.

"But then I took on engineering internships and fell in love with the work - so much so that I chose to stay in tech, and now I build AI products for clients across different industries. Along the way, I have learned something that I wish more women heard early on: you don't need to know everything at the start.

"For a long time, I felt I had to be 100 percent ready before I could put myself forward. Then a college peer said something that stuck with me: none of us are confident at the beginning, we work it out. That is when I realised the gap is rarely talent but more often confidence. Too many women feel they need certainty before they step up, while men around them are more likely to back themselves while learning on the job."

Steen also stressed the importance of the environments where skills develop, including hackathons, networking sessions and online forums. Many of these spaces remain male-dominated, she noted, which can deter newcomers from under-represented groups.

"That is why I always come back to environment. The places where you learn the fastest and find opportunities - like networking events, hackathons and online communities - are still often male dominated. It can feel intimidating, but the first step is getting into the room. Being surrounded by people who know the industry changes everything. You start to see how conversations work, what skills matter, and how and where you can contribute. Confidence does not arrive first. It builds through exposure."

She also described the isolation of being one of the only women in technical meetings, and the pressure of feeling that any mistake could be seen as reflecting on women in tech more broadly. Now, she said, she uses her seniority to support others and push for more inclusive behaviour.

"I will be honest though, early on, being one of the only women in the room came with extra pressure. I felt like I had to prove I belonged, and I worried that if I made a mistake, it would be taken as a judgement on women in tech, rather than a normal part of learning. Over time, I have built the skills and experience to stand strong in technical discussions - and I try to use that position to make the space feel more inclusive for others."

Her perspective is also shaped by helping her two younger sisters enter the industry, which she said underlines the importance of role models and informal mentoring within families as well as workplaces.

"This is personal for me too. I am proud that I have helped my two younger sisters enter the industry. Watching them take those first steps reminded me how much representation and support matter. Being able to be a positive influence for them, guide them through transition periods and watch them thrive in this sector has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my experience."

Steen encouraged women interested in artificial intelligence to experiment with tools and platforms rather than wait for formal training. She pointed to accessible coding and builder environments, along with small automation projects, as practical entry points.

"So, ahead of International Women in Tech Day, my advice is simple.

"Proactively expose yourself to the tech world and put yourself in the spaces where learning happens. Go to events. Join communities. Network before you feel ready. Keep learning consistently. Stand up for your ideas and direction in the workplace. Trust yourself and your skills - and speak up with confidence, always.

"If you are interested in AI, start building. Download a builder app like Replit or Lovable. Experiment with different large language models. Automate one daily workflow. The first version will not be perfect, and it does not need to be. Small tools can become meaningful products, and meaningful products can change what people think is possible, including who gets to build the future."

Alongside individual advice, industry leaders also pointed to the need for structural change within organisations and across the wider ecosystem. Aileen Ryan, President and Chief Executive Officer of industry group RAIN Alliance, said this is a particularly promising time for women entering technology and for those seeking work aligned with broader goals.

Ryan cited BCS data showing that women make up 22% of the technology workforce. She noted that the proportion of senior female leaders and female-founded companies is rising, albeit from a low base, and argued that the sector must keep that momentum going.

"This International Women in Tech Day, I thought it prudent to highlight why I think now truly is the best time for women starting out in the technology industry and how it holds the possibility of finding purpose beyond the profession.

"Women now make up 22% of the technology workforce, according to BCS, and the numbers of female senior leaders and female-founded businesses are slowly but surely increasing. It is vital the industry maintains this momentum and continues to present itself as an attractive and exciting sector in which women can pursue a career.

"In my role as President & CEO of the RAIN Alliance, every day I am involved in decisions that improve how we all interact with everyday items. RAIN RFID technology enables entire industries - including retail, logistics and supply chain, and healthcare - to achieve greater efficiency, sustainability, and circularity. The RAIN Alliance serves as a collective voice for this community, working to enhance lives, empower industries, and build a more sustainable, intelligent future.

"Working in tech is so much more than just a job. It is about meeting the needs of people and the planet through technological and engineering advances, and a career in tech allows us to sit at the forefront of this change and innovation," Ryan said.