Women and Information Technology

As information technology (IT) has exploded over the
past decade, the need to cultivate and sustain a
well-prepared and diverse labor force has become
increasingly evident. The increasing penetration of
IT into all sectors of economy makes it necessary to
include all parts of society in IT professions.
However, there is a serious problem in attracting
women to IT fields. Currently, the
percentage of women working in IT is much smaller
than their percentage in the general population, or
among recipients of college degrees.
This book examines key factors behind the
underrepresentation of women in IT education and IT
workforce from an economic perspective. It compares
the earnings of female and male IT professionals who
have similar degrees and experience. Using Florida
data, the study discussed in the book presents
little or no gender wage difference for IT graduates
from the Community Colleges and Post-Secondary
Education programs, while an increasing gender
wage difference for the four-year college IT
graduates. The book presents
compelling evidence for the wage gap in IT
workforce due to gender discrimination.

Autorentext
Dr. Aydin is the associate director of Center for Economic
Forecasting and Analysis at Florida State University. His
BA degree is in Public Finance, master's degree in
International Economics, and doctoral degrees, one in Education
and the other in Economics. He is also the director of
Neuroeconomics and Wellbeing Program.

Klappentext
As information technology (IT) has exploded over the past decade, the need to cultivate and sustain a well-prepared and diverse labor force has become increasingly evident. The increasing penetration of IT into all sectors of economy makes it necessary to include all parts of society in IT professions. However, there is a serious problem in attracting women to IT fields. Currently, the percentage of women working in IT is much smaller than their percentage in the general population, or among recipients of college degrees. This book examines key factors behind the underrepresentation of women in IT education and IT workforce from an economic perspective. It compares the earnings of female and male IT professionals who have similar degrees and experience. Using Florida data, the study discussed in the book presents little or no gender wage difference for IT graduates from the Community Colleges and Post-Secondary Education programs, while an increasing gender wage difference for the four-year college IT graduates. The book presents compelling evidence for the wage gap in IT workforce due to gender discrimination.