Survey Reports Fewer Female Leaders in IT Companies

Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. particularly(adv.) [per-tik-yuh-ler-lee, puh-tik-] – specifically; especially

Example: I like different kinds of technology, but I particularlyenjoy computers.

2. in a row (idiom) [in uh roh] – occurring one after another or happening without a stop

Example: The team won the game for the fifth time in a row.

3. presumption (n.) [pri-zuhmp-shuhn] –  the  belief or acceptance that something is true without much proof yet

Example: He left home late because his presumption was that the meeting would not start on time.

4.   degree holder (n.) [dih-gree hohl-der] – a graduate of a college or university

Example:  She is a degree holder in Computer Science.

5. promotion (n.) [pruh-moh-shuhn] – the act of moving someone to a higher job position; the act of receiving a higher job position

Example: After working in the company for years, she finally got a promotion to manager.

Article
Read the text below.

A survey conducted by an IT recruiting company in US has reported that for this year, less than 10% of Chief Information Officers (CIO) in American companies are female. In addition, at least a third (1/3) of CIOs reveal there are no female managers working under them. This is the second year in a row the decline has been noticed. Anna Frazzetto, an executive at the recruiting firm Harvey Nash, claims that the US is experiencing a lack of skilled IT experts, particularly those who are women. Frazzetto cites factors which contribute to the problem, such as the presumption of IT as boring, the shortage of female technology graduates and the unfair treatment of women at work.    This issue is also a concern of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which learned just 25% of women were in computer-related jobs last year. Jenny Slade, a spokesperson of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), points out that women compose only 25% of systems managers, 38.6% of web developers, and 19% of software developers. Moreover, in 2011, only 18% of IT degree holders were women. Additionally, a study by NCWIT study discovered 56% of women in technology jobs quit in the middle of their careers. Slade says this is due to unfriendly working environments and the small chance of earning a promotion.    Meanwhile, Patricia Andersen of Apartments.com, one of the few female CIOs, says for more women to be successful, seniors must guide them and teach them especially how to handle office politics.

Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A 

·         Do you think the gender of the leader/s of a company is important? Why or why not?

·         What do you think are the differences between the leadership of males and females?

Discussion B

·         How can more women be encouraged to try a career in Information Technology?

·         What are advantages of having more female IT workers? 

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