Examining the Retention and Exodus of Women in Technology

When looking at workplace dynamics, especially given the pandemic, we must identify why individuals choose to leave specific fields, such as STEM, specifically computer science. The purpose of this study was to identify the unique belonging experiences of women who specifically work in the technology field. Issues such as the need for belonging, marginalization, workplace culture, imposter syndrome, and allyship affect how women feel connected to their work. Using a qualitative narrative inquiry approach, nine women were interviewed for their unique perspective of belonging in the technological workspace. Within the transcriptions, certain themes were derived from the data, which included (1) lack of belonging in the workspace, (2) lack of trust, and (3) lack of support. However, we also discovered that women can be successful leaders in the technology sector if they receive support from a mentor at work. For the computer science industry to attract and retain female talent, addressing these obstacles and fostering a more inclusive environment is imperative to counter underrepresentation.