Barriers to Women in Tech Spaces and How to Break Them

 
Previously, education was for only the male gender. Therefore, it is no wonder that women in tech have to work much harder for recognition of their skills. A study from 2020 shows women constituted about 28.8% of the technology workforce, an increase from 25.9% and 26.2% in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

It is no question that there is an apparent digital gender gap. So, what are the barriers to women in technology, and how do we bridge that gap?

On today’s episode of DisruptED, host Ron J Stefanski sits down with Kelly Ireland, the CEO of CBT, to discuss strategies to overcome the barriers to women in the technological spaces.

Ireland mentioned that inclusivity and nurturing skills from a young age were core strategies to remove the barriers to women’s involvement in tech spaces. One of the things that helped her in the early days of her career was that she was always carried along. She had a boss who emphasized including the female employees in training so they could have the same knowledge as the men, hence equal opportunity to advance.

“Many women need the right motivation to excel within the technological space”, noted Ireland. “I have enjoyed a successful career because I have always adopted the problem-solving approach. Also, I think that women are natural problem solvers, so it is no doubt that they will do well in tech careers. One of the ways I coped as a woman in tech back in the day was by walking around with blinders- as long as I got the necessary knowledge and skill, I believed I could do it,” explained Ireland.

Stefanski and Ireland during their discussion on women in tech…

● Ireland’s passion for helping others

● Her value-add approach in working with clients and how it has affected the growth of CBT

● A possible way of scheduling more meetings in the future as Ireland is a female force in the technology space

“I am passionate because of my history, so I understand the pain. In addition, helping women in tech promotes inclusivity. I hope that in the near future, being a female will not be a reason to experience hurt and setbacks in certain “men-dominated fields.” A great concept will be introducing the younger ones to tech early so they can nurture their appetite. Many kids seemingly do not do well because they are bored or need to explore technical fields. The children need to see the impact of technology,” explained Ireland. Guiding people, especially kids, give them the courage to explore skills in tech and reduce barriers to inclusivity.

Kelly Ireland is a Tech Founder, CEO, and adviser. She is an award-winning entrepreneur who launched her tech company- CBT, in 2001. Some of her accolades include the 2015 HP PartnerOne Solution Provider of the Year Award for Cloud, CRN’s prestigious Triple Crown Award in 2016 and 2019, nine consecutive Boeing Performance Excellence awards, and CRN’s inaugural IoT Innovators Award in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Also, in 2020, she was named IoT Community 2022 Woman of the Year.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

College admissions
Getting Elite Level Support for College Admissions with ESAI Founder Julia Dixon
May 12, 2025

College admissions have long favored those with access—whether that’s legacy ties, zip code advantages, or the ability to afford pricey private consultants. But now, the game is changing. Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a powerful equalizer in education, and one startup is turning that promise into reality. Just days ago, Shark Tank investor Mark…

Read More
AI
Classroom AI: Who Should It Serve First—Teachers or Students?
May 12, 2025

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming nearly every sector, and education is no exception. As AI capabilities evolve, tech giants like OpenAI, Google, and Meta have increasingly showcased education as a core use case in product rollouts. But the tools being created often split along a critical divide: are they meant for teachers, or for…

Read More
Human Intelligence
JUST THINKING… About Artificial Intelligence vs. Human Intelligence with Dr. Michael Harvey
May 12, 2025

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at lightning speed, the conversation is shifting from what AI can do to what it should do—and how it compares with, or complements, the uniquely human traits we bring to learning, work, and society. While schools grapple with AI’s integration into classrooms, some educators are asking a deeper question:…

Read More
future of remote work
Productivity, Happiness and the Future of Remote Work with Steven Puri
May 12, 2025

Remote work is no longer an experiment, it is a daily reality for millions. Yet, as teams seek focus and fulfillment outside the traditional office, the challenges of productivity and isolation have intensified. Studies show that nearly 70 percent of remote workers struggle with burnout and distractions. Amid this tension, platforms that blend emotional well-being…

Read More