User:Bidhi Mandal/Diversity in computing

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Computing sector like other STEM fields lacks diversity in United States. The lack of diversity is caused by two issues 1. pipeline issue: which refers to the lack of early access to resources and 2.cultural issue: which refers to the exclusive workplace and discriminations. As technology is becoming omnipresent, the diversity that we see in the tech field can help institutions reduce inequalities in a society. To make the field diverse organizations need to address both the issues. 

Factors causing underrepresentation
There are two reported reasons for lack of participation of women and minorities in the computing sector. First reason is the lack of early exposure to resources like computers, internet connections and experiences such as computer courses. Research show that digital divide acts as a factor, students who do not already have skills with computers upon entering college are at a disadvantage in computing majors, and access to computers is influenced by demographic data such as ethnic background. The problem of lack of resources is compounded with lack of exposure to courses and pieces of information that can lead to successful computing career. A survey of students at University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Howard University, two historically black universities, found that the majority of students were not "counseled about computer related careers" either before or during college. The same study (this time only surveying UMES students) found that less women than men had learned about computers and programming in high school. The researchers have concluded that these factors could contribute to lower numbers of women and minorities choosing to pursue computing degrees.

Other reported issue that leads to the homogeneity of the computing sector is the cultural issue caused by factors like discrimination at workplace. This school of thought cites that the problem is very much rooted in how employees identifying themselves as minorities are treated in the workplace. For participants to excel in a tech-related course or career, the sense of belonging matters more than pre-gained knowledge. That is reflected in, “The Great Resignation” that took place in the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a survey of 2,030 workers between the ages of 18 and 28 conducted in July, the company found that 50% said they had left or wanted to leave tech or IT job “because the company culture made them feel unwelcome or uncomfortable,” with a higher percentage of women and Asian, Black, and Hispanic respondents each saying they had such an experience. In most cases, the workplaces not only lack a sense of belonging but are also unsafe. Research conducted by Dice, a tech career hub showed that more than 50% of women faced sexual discrimination in tech companies.  A pilot program that was done to understand different elements that affect minorities during a STEM course which showed that increased mentorship and support were an important factor for the completion of the course.

Increasing diversity
Institutions working to improve diversity in the computing sector are focusing to increase the access to resources and build a sense of belonging for minorities. One organization working toward this goal is EarSketch, an educational coding program that allows users to produce music by coding in JavaScript and Python. Its aim is to spark interest in programming and computer science in a wider range of students and "to attract different demographics especially girls." The nonprofit Black Girls Code is working to encourage and empower black girls and girls of color to enter the world of computing by teaching them to code. Another way to widen access to resources is by increasing equality in access to computers. Students who use computers in school settings are more likely to use them outside the classroom, so bringing computers into the classroom improves students' computer literacy.

Since workplace discrimination is also seen to cause lack of diversification of careers related to STEM, making changes to that aspect will also help increasing diversity in the sector. Big tech organizations like Microsoft and Facebook are publishing diversity reports and investing in programs to make their companies more diverse.