September 23, 2008

Former CIO: Creating peer networks key to helping women stay in IT jobs

Gail Farnsley, a visiting professor in the Department of Computer and Information Technology and a former vice president of IT and chief information officer at Cummins Inc., says one way to help retain women in computer related careers is to develop strong support systems.

"Women face special issues when they pursue careers like being a CIO where it is not unusual to have 70-hour workweeks," she says. "I know a lot of female CIOs who have left their jobs, not because they didn't love it, but because they felt so conflicted when it comes to work versus family life. That's why it's vital to find people who understand the unique struggles women face."

Studies have found that about 20 percent of IT jobs are held by women, and an even smaller percentage of women hold CIO positions.

Farnsley says one issue that women in IT, as well as other careers, face is that at the same age they are hitting their stride professionally, they also are in their prime childbearing years.

"IT careers are wonderful, high-paying and satisfying, but it's important for women to know that they will be in the minority in the workplace," she says. "In order to thrive, it's vital to find a female support network. That can be a formal or informal women’s network within your company or a professional women's network that brings together women from different companies and geographies."

Farnsley says creating a peer network of females can be as easy as getting everyone together for lunch once a week.

"The important thing is to identify the women in your workplace, your community and your field, then reach out to them and talk on a regular basis about the job, the family, your successes, concerns and anything else that you feel more comfortable talking with women about," she says. "Have great male friends on the job, but also have women you can connect with and share ideas."

Farnsley will be a member of a panel discussion called "Powerful Peer Networks" during the Women in Technology International's Women and Technology Summit, held Oct. 12-15 in Santa Clara, Calif. Earlier this year, she was selected as one of Computerworld magazine's Premier 100 IT Leaders for 2008. She also is working on a proposal for a project to develop a stronger network for women pursuing computing degrees.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Source: Gail Farnsley, (765) 496 3657, gfarnsley@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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