Factors Influencing Successful IT Women's Career Choices: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Women and minorities continue to be underrepresented in information technology (IT) career fields. In thisstudy, we examined critical self-descriptions of women who selected and excelled in information technologycareers. Analysis of six narratives revealed that family support, teachers, and hands-on learning experienceswere critical sources of women's development of self-authorship leading to selection of an IT career path.Findings from this research suggest intervention strategies for parents, teachers, and counselors that willencourage more women to pursue careers in information technology.