Drawn to technology and programmed to connect: A phenomenological study of females in information and communication technology careers

Current jobs in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) are not being filled and projections indicate the Information and Communication Technology sectors of the job market will grow. There is a critical need for more people to enter into the ICT workforce, but females are not enrolling in courses that teach ICT. The lack of females in ICT is so unbalanced when compared to males in the industry that the under-representation of females and minorities in computer science is a national dilemma. Given the decline of females in ICT professions, it becomes important to examine why females choose to enter into the career.;The purpose of this study was to understand female ICT professionals' educational experiences, home life, perceptions of the culture of ICT, career experiences and what influence their familial connections who have worked in ICT led the participants to choose a career in the field. The theoretical framework chosen was Feminism and specifically, Standpoint theory. Within the qualitative paradigm, a transcendental phenomenological approach for research using Moustakas' (1994) interpretation was chosen.;Data was collected in three ways: Pre-Interview questions, Interviews, and Asynchronous Focus Group Interviews, Through the data analysis, five themes emerged: (a) Influenced by Others, (b) Communication Skills, (c) Supportive Network, (d) Technical Aptitude, and (e) Mentoring Others. From this point, two essences emerged: (a) Collaborative Spirit and (b) Creative Design.;The overarching theme and underlying essence of being "Drawn to Technology" was an overall impetus to why the participants chose a career in ICT; it fits their personalities in being able to collaborate and use their technical aptitude in creative ways to design things in technology such as networks and program mobile applications. These essences or factors support their decision as they were "Drawn to Technology" in choosing their ICT career.