11 Top Resources For Women in Technology

It's no secret that the technology industry is suffering a skills shortage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, IT will add nearly 1.4 million job openings by 2020, and over two-thirds of these jobs could go unfilled due to a shortage of college graduates with computing-related degrees. It's also no secret that women are vastly under-represented in technology.  

Encouraging the skills and career development for women in technology does more than create a larger workforce. Studies have shown that teams with greater diversity are more creative than homogenous teams. They solve complex problems better and faster, thereby improving innovation and increasing business performance. There are financial benefits as well. According to the National Center for Women & Information Technology, companies with the highest representation of women on their management teams have a 34% higher return on investment than those with few or no women.

While there are plenty of jobs available and companies are increasingly recognizing the benefits of diversifying their workforces, breaking into technology isn't necessarily easy. Luckily, a number of resources are available to help women progress through the various stages of their careers -- from the stay-at-home mom looking to rejoin the workforce, to girls in high school and college, to the technology professional who is working her way up the career ladder.

"Most technical women aren’t in organizations large enough to form internal support groups, which only intensifies the isolation we feel. So it becomes critical for us to find encouragement using other avenues," wrote Michele Chubirka, an Interop speaker and Network Computing contributor, in 3 Survival Tips For Women In IT. The Interop conference is one venue; the conference actively recruits women speakers and promotes gender diversity through special programs. 

But the opportunities for women to connect are many. As part of our "Top In Tech" series, we recognize the following 10 organizations that provide a wealth of resources to help women in technology and help companies benefit from a diversified workforce.

Cover image: Interop Las Vegas 2015 Women in Technology Panel