A Leeds-based DevOps graduate has reported that technology companies continue to use gendered language in job adverts, specifically favouring male candidates.
Pauline Narvas, a graduate in DevOps, has observed that many companies openly appeal to men by using ‘he’ in job descriptions. Narvas believes that the tech industry must take diversity seriously and embrace a cultural shift to retain women in technology. She remarked, “Companies need to really look at their culture and see if they’re unintentionally doing things like using language that’s towards one gender. I’ve seen job descriptions that say things like ‘he should be able to do this’, which is bad practice.”
Narvas further explained that hiring managers often select candidates who resemble themselves, which contributes to the predominance of white men in high-level tech positions. Despite numerous Women in Tech events and concerns voiced by women in the industry, the issue of diversity remains insufficiently addressed. Narvas also highlighted the importance of making the tech sector more accessible to girls from a young age. Reflecting on her own experience, she mentioned being the only girl in her school taking GCSE computing, which made her feel out of place and discouraged her from pursuing further education in IT.
Narvas emphasised the need for young women to have tech role models visible to them daily. Her comments coincide with ongoing efforts to recognise leading female tech entrepreneurs. As an advocate for women in tech, Narvas has served as an ambassador for a women in tech organisation during her university years. She noted that the lack of female representation in STEM fields during her education had a significant impact on her and others pursuing these subjects.
Narvas’s early interest in technology, which began with coding websites at the age of eight, was reignited through an initiative by the women in tech organisation at her university. This initiative encouraged women to learn about coding, and eventually, Narvas became an instructor and helped teach coding to children in corporate programmes. She stated, “The initiative changed the direction of everything for me. After completing a placement at a tech company, I secured a graduate role. Focusing on practical tech skills opened numerous doors for me.”
The persistence of gendered language in job advertisements is a critical issue that tech companies must address to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment. Encouraging young women through visible role models and educational initiatives is essential to change the demographic landscape of the tech industry.