NORTH AMERICA career , with support from both genders . I wouldn ’ t be where I am today without that support . There are still a number of challenges that need to be worked on in every industry , not just in technology , when it comes to gender diversity and equality ,” she adds . “ But I think the conversation is changing – it ’ s becoming less taboo and men are getting involved in the discussion as well , which is critical .”
One of the biggest hurdles , Sandhu believes , lies in the lack of female role models in male-dominated fields . “ Women don ’ t have those same role models or examples as men to look up to or emulate ,” she observes . “ But I do think that ' s changing . For example , we
can see that two leaders of General Motors – the CEO and the CFO – are both women . The automotive industry is one which is notoriously male-dominated so we are seeing change right there . Betty Liu is another example . She began her career in journalism , went on to start her own business and now she is the Executive Vice Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange .”
Another hurdle , Sandhu believes , lies in education . Surveying over 2,000 A-Level and university students in the UK , PwC found that only 3 % of women say a career in technology would be their first choice . “ We need to increase the pipeline of women in STEM and that starts with education ,” notes Sandhu .
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