I loved the story in the lecture notes about the child in the car accident and t

Question

I loved the story in the lecture notes about the child in the car accident and the doctor. It made me think about my perceptions and bias when it comes to particular professions, which takes me to the subject of my chosen profession, IT (information technology) or more specifically computer administration.

Stereotype threats in math and science are discussed at length in several of our readings for this week. The Stereotype threat overview paper describes how the threat can redirect aspirations and career paths directing women away from math and science related careers. The IT profession definitely reflects that threat. I have worked for different companies as an IT administrator and only one woman has been among the 30 different co-workers in those areas. And it gets worse. A couple of days ago I attended an IT vendor fair in the Minneapolis area put on by a large distribution company. There were over 50 vendor staff from different companies all around the area and just over 220 attendees like myself. I made a concerted effort to pay attention to the number of women at this conference because of this class. How many women do you think I counted? I counted 2 attendees and 3 vendor reps. Let’s say I missed a couple of people, that is still only 7 or 2.5%. I knew the IT profession was mostly a male profession, but I did not know to what extent.

The threat conversation video with Dr. Claud Steele describes how little effort it takes to start poking holes in the stereotypes that limit people. I love my chosen profession and it is unique in that most of a person’s time is spent working with computers or network systems that have no bias at all. They are blind as to who is sitting at the keyboard issuing commands. So here are a couple of questions. What is your industry like, and what are the stereotypes associated with that industry? I am moving into a leadership position in IT. If you were in my position what would you do to reduce stereotypes and make IT a profession available to all?

RESPONSE TO THE WRITING AND QUESTION. 2 TO 3 PARAGRAPHS

Explanation / Answer

I work in an educational institution and the stereotypes associated with this industry are based on single and married status or even deeper the ones who have their own children and ones who dont. The teachers who have their own kids are considered more responsible and caring towards students then the ones who dont as they are assumed to be carefree about their job. Also the age holds an importance in this professions. Educaters will more age are assumed to be more knowledgable than the younger ones and students also prefer having them as the subject teacher. Also the very common stereotype that exists is of gender. Though the females are more in number in this profession but are comparatively paid less to the male staff as the assumption is that they work just for an additonal income or passing their free time and not for the necessity of money.

Being a leader in the IT industry stereotypes can be reduced by making strategic plans and mission statements based on equality of all and communicating it well to all the employees. Making all aware of the negative impacts of the stereotype mentality in the overall productivity and growth of the organization. Fix a minimum limit of complusory hiring of employees who may not be considered duing the hiring process due to the stereotype. Delegate tasks to the employees who become the victim of stereotype and give them a chance to prove themselves. Keep self involved and available in the work environment so that check be kept on any such practices and all are treated with fairness. Focussing on the benefits of having a culture of diversity at the workplace and clearing it to all the employees also.

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