Women and computers: Exploiting opportunities

It's a man's world, even though the first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace, who assisted Charles Babbage, was a woman. Men occupy the highest positions in the IT industry around the world, and Malta is no exception. The number of women in decision-making positions is very low but the drive to enlarge the pool of local IT skills has encouraged many girls and women to take up a career in this field.

The example of Rosanne Galea shines as a beacon of hope for women who want to take up such a career and be successful, and at the same time raise a family. She is a businesswoman in the IT industry, directing a training company. She is also a mother, and yet she is finding the time to read for a Masters degree in IT, with the support of a government scheme.

i-Tech caught up with Ms Galea to share her experience as a manager who wants to keep abreast of the latest technologies.

"Unfortunately it is true that IT careers appeal more to men than to women. I think that it is a question of perception of careers in IT. Women might see other careers as being more interesting and fulfilling, hence the reason why not so many women take up a career in IT. Therefore, policy makers and educators need to market such careers in a better manner. They should discuss the benefits of careers in IT, the opportunities that exist and how to embark on a career in IT. Women must see what is in it for them. Unfortunately parents still push their children towards the traditional careers which is a pity because technology careers might have more to offer now and in the future."

Ms Galea is convinced that women do not face sex-related obstacles when pursuing such a career.

"There are many women technology researches working in foreign universities and research centres and they are doing a great job. In the IT sector there are many different careers to choose from such as software development, database management, design, marketing and other careers. All these are just as suitable for women as they are for men."

She hopes SmartCity Malta will attract more women to IT but women should see the opportunities that exist in IT and instead of sticking to the traditional careers (some of which are saturated) they should venture into other sectors.

"To be successful, women must think outside the box and be creative and innovative," she insists. "As a business woman I would like to see more women going into business in the field of technology. In Malta, where resources are so limited, setting up a business in IT could be the right thing to do. A technology business could be set up even from the comfort of one's home!"

In the last few years we have been bombarded with adverts and PR on the merits of a career in IT. She does not think this is just pure hype.

"Of course the economic crisis cuts across all sectors and IT careers might suffer because of the crisis. Still I think that there are great opportunities in IT. I also feel that for Maltese students undergoing a period of work experience abroad with one of the large IT firms will go a long way to secure a great career in IT. Today the EU offers many opportunities for such placements both through the Leonardo da Vinci programmes and also Erasmus."

Ms Galea decided to read for a Masters in IT at Northumbria University because she wanted to be knowledgeable in the subject and would not like to fall behind in the field of technology. The post-graduate degree is a three-year programme and she is in the second year. Topics covered include social and current issues of computing; database management; project management; software and hardware product design; and management of information systems. By September she will complete web development.

"Now I have to work hard at it by reading books, carrying out research, preparing for exams and doing assignments. It makes me feel younger too!" she said.

Future Focus, her training company, represents Northumbria University in the delivery of IT-related courses, including an MSc in information and library management. Other courses from different foreign educational institutions are also made available. Students can also obtain local funding to cover the costs of the programme under the Steps scheme launched recently by the Education Department.

Indeed, support from authorities was an important factor in Ms Galea's decision to continue studying.

"It was unheard of up to a few years ago that one could study with a foreign university, get an internationally recognised qualification and the government gives you a tax rebate or subsidies the course. These are great opportunities and students should realise that they exist and grab them. Such opportunities will not be here forever!"

Incidentally Ms Galea's husband is an IT man and this was another reason why she decided to go for a Masters degree.

"I just did not want to feel stupid when he talks technical on an IT-related subject," she admitted to i-Tech. "We have two girls and I hope that at least one of them goes into IT. I am an insurance broker and a trainer by profession. I am really interested in technology-related risks and will be focusing on this subject for my thesis."

She has one last piece of advice to girls and women who want to pursue a career in IT.

"I would tell them that from a young age they should follow as many IT programmes as possible starting with the ECDL and then going onto other courses until they find which side of IT they prefer. Some might like programming, others might prefer design, while some might prefer management of information systems. There are many facets to a career in IT. Today there are many opportunities in Malta and schemes like myPotential do open doors that did not even exist up to a few years ago."