What does it really take to succeed as a woman in tech? Globally, women are vastly underrepresented within the sector, with the current ratio of men to women standing at 3:1.
This problematic lack of parity is arguably a systemic issue: in the U.S., only 21% of engineering majors and just 19% of computer science majors at undergraduate level are women.
The stats coming out of the UK are similar, with a report from Women in Tech highlighting that at university level, only 25% of graduates in STEM subjects are women, compared to 52% of men.
While the gender gap remains a glaring issue, there are some notable female leaders like Lori Laub, who, as CEO and founder of TruCentive – an incentives delivery platform that allows businesses to send gifts, rewards and incentives to employees – has been paving the way for female tech entrepreneurs.
Drive to succeed
Crediting “pure passion” for her career in tech, Laub also credits her parents for instilling a confidence in her own abilities from a young age.
“They informed me that some people might have advantages, such as better education, stronger connections, or greater resources, which could hinder or facilitate my journey. Nonetheless, they impressed upon me that, ultimately, the outcome would hinge on how I utilised the opportunities presented to me.”
This sentiment still rings true for Laub today and her advice to other women is similar in attitude: to grow and excel you need to consistently present the best version of yourself, while also being truthful about your strengths and the areas that need improvement.
“This self-awareness is crucial for earning respect, title, or position,” she explains. “Perfection is unrealistic; it's essential for each of us to dedicate ourselves to improving our contributions to the organisation and the way we deliver them."
Resilience is key
Building resilience is also a key component of Lab’s success and while she quickly ascended the ranks, serving as a vice president at the age of 27 and separately, as a CIO four years later, she’s had her fair share of challenges to overcome.
These include clients struggling to accept that she was the one “in charge” and bolding tackling an issue with a colleague who continuously referred to her as “little lady”
“His seniority in both position and age within the company was daunting. However, I reached a point where I felt compelled to take action,” she details.
“Initially, I politely requested that he refrain from calling me that. Still, when the behaviour continued, I decided to address him as 'little man' respectfully. This prompted a dialogue between us, after which he started to use my actual name. While he occasionally reverted to the old moniker, gently correcting him became easier over time, and he eventually ceased using it altogether.”
As the adage goes, fortune favours the brave, but Laub is confident that the doors to the tech industry are increasingly open to all women, and that there are plenty of opportunities to seize upon.
“The question now centres on how women leverage these opportunities to enhance the workplace for the generations of women who will follow.”
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