FITT - Females in Information Technology and Telecommunications

Careers

Technology has an impact on virtually every business in every industry, and as a result almost every job has an IT component.

If you are interested in a career in the ICT industry, there are many options other than just the ‘geeky’ core industries of Information Technology and Telecommunications.

Working with computers and information and communications technology can be both exciting and challenging. An ICT career can lead you to blockbuster movies, life saving medical procedures or improving the environment.

You can work ICT related positions within retail, banking, farming, teaching, transport, manufacturing, publishing, and marketing.

FITT assists girls and women who are choosing their careers and supporting those who enter the industry, encouraging them to reach their potential.

FITT runs career development workshops for members every year.

The ICT professional
As explained by the Australian Computer Society, ICT professionals have a crucial and challenging part to play in the effective application of computers and computing technology to achieve effective processing of information.

Most professional ICT work can be classified into three broad areas:

	Information Systems
	Computer System Engineering
	Computer Science

The majority of employment opportunities occur in the application of computers to create business information systems. In some countries up to eighty or ninety percent of professional computing positions will be in this area.

Creating business information systems involves designing and implementing systems which collect information from customers or other business transactions, validate the data for accuracy, store the data in a safe place on a computer system, ensure the data is protected from unauthorised access or lost due to accident, and provide reports to management at any time when it is requested. An important new activity is the development of expert, or knowledge-based systems.

Another important area is the application of computers in a wide range of industrial control problems. Examples include the control of complex machinery in a manufacturing operation (Computer Integrated Manufacturing), or the control of operations in a steel mill, an oil refinery, or an electricity distribution system. The third main area of interest is in the field of computer science where the graduate may undertake research into the design of specialised hardware or software.

Because of the importance of information and the crucial role it plays in many organisations, many computing professionals become well informed on the operations of a company. That, together with their training, makes them good candidates for management positions at later stages in their careers.

Links
If you are looking to get into the ICT field, have had a break and want to get back into the workforce or just want to learn more about your options, there are many resources available.

Hudson: au.hudson.com Hudson one of FITT's generous sponsors.
Hudson has revolutionised Career Management Services with the development of a sophisticated fully integrated online program. The program covers all areas of Career Management and Job Search Skills required to transition into a new role. It is based on Adult learning principles and only the most basic computer/Internet skills are required. The program is accessible anytime, any place and can be supplemented with support from a career consultant. This tool is now available at a discount rate for FITT members.

The topics covered include:

	Managing change	Here is a flyer with more information about this service for FITT members. Email fitt@hudson.com to request your login and password.
	Self assessment
	Defining your next Career Move
	Job Search Skills
	Career Research
	Action Planning

https://www.acs.org.au/ictcareers/ The Australian Computer Society careers section is for people who have an interest in careers in computing and Information Technology.
Whether you are already working and want to transition to a career in ICT or considering your first career, this site is for you.

www.itskillshub.com.au A single, united organisation taking responsibility for ICT skill development across the entire education and training spectrum, from secondary schools and TAFE, to higher education and industry certification.

www.education.gov.au The Federal Government's education website. Career and training info, newsletters and up-to-date contacts.

www.gocareer.gov.au Enterprise and career education from the Federal government.

www.myfuture.edu.au Brings together comprehensive information on the labour market, education, training and jobs in Australia.

www.womens.gateway.nsw.gov.au A one-stop entry point to government and community services for women in New South Wales.

Proportion of females in ICT stable but too low

According to a ABS Labour Force Survey, female participation in ICT has been fairly stable over the last few years, averaging 18 per cent of all ICT workers and 18 per cent of ICT professionals ) but the proportion has dropped from 25 per cent ten years ago and women are still greatly under-represented as a proportion of the workforce.

A fundamental reason for this is the drop in the proportion of females commencing and completing Bachelor Degree and High Award Information Technology courses over recent years, which is the formal entry requirement into the industry for many highly skilled technical roles. Non-technical roles filled by women have remained relatively static.

The proportion of females commencing Bachelor Degree and Higher Award in Information Technology courses declined over the years 2001 to 2004, from 26 per cent of ‘All Students’ in 2001 to 20 per cent in 2004. The proportion of females commencing Bachelor Degree and Higher Award Courses in Information Technology courses remained stable over the years 2004 to 2008 at approximately 20 per cent of All Students.

Females accounted for a consistent proportion of ‘All Student’ Completions over the years 2001 to 2004, averaging approximately 27 per cent. This proportion dropped in 2005 to 22 per cent prior to stabilising at approximately 20 per cent over the years 2006 to 2007.

A recent survey for ACS found:

Almost a quarter (23.5%) of all ICT trade, technical and professional jobs are performed by women
Almost 60% of ICT trainers, and almost 50% of graphic and web designers are women
Less than 10% of telecommunications trade workers are women

For further information, please visit the ICT skills pages on the SkillsInfo website.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has launched the 2010 statistical data about ICT economic and social trends, including the representation of women. See ACS for all details.