Informative Essay

Over the last twenty years, the number of women succeeding in careers previously dominated by men, such as law and the medical field, has steadily increased. Yet, the number of women in the IT profession has dropped from almost 40 percent to 20 percent in that same time. (Hill, 2005).

B. Women are leaving the IT profession for a variety of reasons, including little flexibility or support for women with families, a sense of isolation in a "boys-only club" profession, and substantial differences in pay and advancement opportunities.

II. Women are leaving the I.T. profession because it is a career with very little flexibility.

A. Women see IT as a 24/7 job which conflicts with their need to be available for family.

B. If a woman leaves the field to raise a child, technology changes so fast that she can find it difficult to get back into the industry.

C. Classes to upgrade and update skills usually involve time out of town or evening hours that make it difficult for women with families to juggle.

III. Women are also leaving the IT profession because of a sense of isolation in the male dominated technology field.

A. The technology field still has a "boys only club" mentality that makes it difficult for women to breach.

B. Women have less confidence than men in the technology field.

C. There are a lack of female mentors and role models in the IT profession.

IV. Women are leaving the IT profession because of salary differences and lack of advancement opportunities.

A. There is a substantial