Practical tips to advance women in software engineering
India's software engineering sector is experiencing rapid growth, with projections indicating a substantial increase in demand. However, this burgeoning field must address the critical challenge of underrepresentation of women as well as individuals from weaker socio-economic backgrounds, and other underrepresented groups. Prioritizing initiatives that provide opportunities to diverse talent and expand recruitment pipelines is essential for inclusivity.
Google sponsors several college programs to address this challenge, such as the Women Engineers (WE) program by Talent Sprint in India, which has positively impacted 950+ students to date.
Google’s 20% research group worked with Talent Sprint to understand the strategies that made the WE program so successful.
As part of this process, we interviewed program participants to unpack how WE supports students' journeys into becoming world class software engineers through a two-year program for college students. Here are the key findings:
#1 Leverage hands-on learning and problem solving.
It’s always in the doing. The WE program's hands-on, real-world approach to teaching technical skills sets it apart from the traditional college experiences, better preparing participants for industry demands.
“When he [Asokan Pichai] taught us, it wasn't spoon feeding, he gave us questions and gave us time and let us find the solution.”
“In college it's basic coding and we don't solve problems. In WE, we pair up with each other and improve our skills.”
#2 Cultivate a healthy mindset.
Mindset matters. The WE program emphasized a Growth Mindset; mentors taught students that intelligent failure is part of learning and encouraged self-guided, hands-on learning, such as learning from documentation. This mindset empowers students to overcome challenges and increases their confidence.
“All these things get into your head in the beginning of your career and you can take it wherever you go. Their philosophies have been very very helpful.”
“In the process of becoming comfortable being wrong, one thing I learned is that it's ok to make mistakes. That's how you learn. Once I started learning that, I felt confident.”
#3 Light a career path.
Early guidance can make all the difference.The WE program provides clarity and direction for aspiring software engineers, identifying career paths and outlining the necessary steps to achieve their goals. This can and should ideally be done more broadly, starting in high school.
“I didn't know what to do with my career. They [WE] gave us an idea of what research, corporate, and startup jobs look like. Once I picked something out, they had a structured path. Instead of feeling lost, I had a path. I knew what I needed to study. I could see it clearly.”
#4 Develop interview readiness.
Interview processes can be daunting, especially for first timers. Learning about the process and being prepared for interviews increases chances of success. WE’s combination of practical skills training, cultivating a healthy mindset, and rigorous preparation via mock interviews equipped students with the tools, confidence, and mindset needed to secure in demand jobs.
“During the interview, the confidence and communication skills I learned in WE, and the motivation I got from the program helped me tremendously.”
# 5 Foster a sense of community and belonging.
Creating a support network is key. The program fosters a lifetime community for alumni to connect, share experiences, job opportunities, and develop a sense of belonging in the field of software engineering.
“If there is a doubt and you go to the group, there is almost always another person who has done it and mastered it.”
Our research focused on women software engineers, but we believe these strategies can benefit everyone seeking to build a career in tech. Given the success of the WE program, Google has modeled additional programs such as Women in Silicon and Hardware program (WISH) to drive impact in the emerging hardware industry. Navigating the tech world can be challenging, and such programs provide the skills, mentorship, and support systems to thrive in the tech industry, leading to increased innovation and growth.
