Empowering Women in Tech: Insights from Sue Harnett on Overcoming Challenges in STEM

Digital Learning Today: Where Productivity Meets Innovation in the Classroom.

In this episode, Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Manser discuss the importance of increasing female representation in the technology sector with Sue Harnett, founder of Rewriting the Code. They explore the challenges women face in tech education, the significance of community support, and the role of tech companies in fostering diversity. The conversation emphasizes the need for mentorship, the importance of representation, and strategies to encourage young women to pursue careers in technology. This podcast episode emphasizes the need for building networks and community to empower young women in their career paths, ultimately highlighting the positive impact of these initiatives on their confidence and success in the tech industry. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you. Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! To get our weekly Instructional Coaching Tips sent right to your inbox, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

In This Episode …

• The critical need for women in tech, and WHY itʻs essential to encourage and foster their interest in STEM and technology early.
  • The numbers show that 40-45 percent of introductory computer science and engineering students are women. But only two courses later, half of the women have disappeared. Furthermore, 50 percent of early career STEM women are abandoning the field by age 35.
  
  
• The importance of women-in-tech organizations, and the support/funding for these. Recently, Women Who Code and Girls in Tech (somewhat similar nonprofits) announced their closures, sparking major concerns about stalled progress on increasing diversity in the tech industry.
• RTC fosters three vibrant racially-affirming women communities: “Latinas de RTC,” “Tech Natives”, and “Black Wings”, providing support, community and resources for these groups as they navigate their college tech journeys.
  • In 2023, Black women represented only 2.2 percent of people in tech, and Latina women only 1.9 percent. Black, Latina, and Indigenous women receiving computing degrees have decreased by 40 percent over the past decade to 4 percent combined.
  
  
• With partner Goldman Sachs, RTC created a $1.5M collaborative Women in Tech fund that invests in degree completion for undergrad women in computing, providing rapid-response grants to close the graduation gap for low-income students.

Conversation Takeaways

• Women represent only 18% of computer science graduates.
• Many women drop out of tech courses due to feeling of not belonging.
• Rewriting the Code supports 30,000 women in tech.
• Community and mentorship are crucial for retention.
• Tech companies need to recognize their role in diversity.
• Every company is a tech company now.
• Building trust is essential for underrepresented groups.
• Diverse teams lead to better outcomes.
• Encouragement should start as early as preschool.
• Representation matters in tech education. Career paths should not be limited by gender.
• Fostering curiosity in children is crucial for their development.
• Role models play a significant role in inspiring young girls.
• Women represent only 26% of engineers in the workforce.
• Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field with opportunities for women.
• Creating safe spaces fosters trust and connection among students.
• Listening to young women helps shape better programs and initiatives.
• Networking is about meeting friends and building community.
• Empowering young women leads to greater confidence and success.
• The future of women in tech is bright with growing opportunities.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Women in Tech
• 03:05 Rewriting the Code
• 05:56 Understanding the Drop-off in Women in Tech
• 08:51 Building Community and Support
• 11:58 Transforming the Recruitment Process
• 15:06 The Role of Tech Companies
• 17:52 Encouraging Young Women in Tech
• 21:10 The Importance of Representation
• 23:55 Conclusion and Future Directions
• 25:01 Fostering Curiosity in Young Minds
• 28:39 Opportunities for Women in Technology
• 35:09 Lessons from Leadership and Community Engagement
• 39:39 Creating Safe Spaces for Connection
• 42:03 Building Networks and Community for Young Women
• 45:26 The Impact of Empowering Young Women in Tech

About our Guest: Sue Harnett

Sue Harnett is a passionate and experienced 2x company founder. Her most recent venture, Rewriting the Code, is a non-profit organization that provides mentorship, industry interaction, education, and career opportunities for women in computer science and engineering. She leverages her leadership, start-up experience, and business development skills to create impactful strategies and partnerships that empower women to pursue, excel, and remain in technology careers. As the Founder & CEO of Rewriting the Code, she oversees the largest peer-to-peer network of women in tech, with over 30,000 members across 110+ countries. She is driven by her vision of creating a more diverse, inclusive, and supportive tech industry where women can collaborate, learn, and grow together. She is also an adjunct professor at Duke University, where she inspires and engages the next generation of female technologists. She is changing the game for women in tech, guided by the principles of teamwork, resilience, and community. Sue has spoken at regional TED Talks, Harvard’s WECode Conference, Amazon’s Women at Global Services session and more.

Links of Interest

• **Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sueharnett/**
• TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnwN6fvBqI4

About Rewriting the Code (RTC)

Rewriting the Code (RTC) is a global network founded in 2017 by Sue Harnett to empower women in technology with equal opportunities, professional advancement, and sustainable careers. With a community of over 30,000 college and early-career women in tech, RTC offers mentorship, funding, scholarships, resources, education, and year-round events in collaboration with corporate partners. Joining the community is free, and access to RTC programs and opportunities is never charged.

Links of Interest

• Website: https://rewritingthecode.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rewriting-the-code/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewritingthecode/?hl=en

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