Abstract

The development of ICT should be understood not only as an increase in the number of users skilled in the use of new technologies, but also as an ever-increasing demand for qualified professionals capable of creating, administering, supporting, and servicing ICT systems. With regard to the continuous development of innovative technologies, there is a noticeably low share of women who actively create and co-create this sector, while at the same time providing an opportunity to increase efficiency in terms of adapting technologies to the expectations of a wider audience. In Poland, the share of women preparing to become ICT specialists by studying computer science is low, although constantly growing. The aim of the chapter is to notice the differences in the abilities and perception of their skills and professional ambitions between female and male IT students on the example of empirical data from the Gdańsk WSB University in the field of Computer Sciences and to indicate the initiative that helps to eliminate these differences. After outlining the problems underlying the dominance of men in the ICT sector, we show that even when women take up the challenge of studying IT, they still need support to overcome stereotypes. The IT for SHE initiative is described as an example of a program that offers such support. It is assessed in terms of diversity, flexibility, and an area directly related to strengthening the mentality. The conclusion of the work is that, because they have low self-esteem of their professional skills, talented IT students need help to enter the labor market and the diverse support programs are not indifferent in this role.

Author (1)