Looking For A Tech Job In Silicon Slopes: One Woman’s Story

Reports have recently ranked Utah last in terms of the percentage of women employed in STEM. Beyond Utah, national trends are similar.

These macro statistics can be hard to grasp and relate to. Easier is hearing the experience on the ground level from someone who recently navigated the Utah tech job market. Her name is Tiffany Villa and she’s been working as the event coordinator for Utah Open Source. Villa’s job search ended well; she landed a position at a tech company.

When asked what she was looking for in a job, Villa said she wanted “schedule flexibility and the option to work remotely from home.” Due to her child’s activities and more she said “working 8a-5pm in an office would be difficult.”

Villa’s concerns are echoed in national trends. A Pew Research study said that 70% of working mothers desired flexibility in a career. That number was high for men too, 50% of them expressed the same desires as the working moms. Villa said, “Most women I know have family responsibilities that make their schedules difficult, but are very good at balancing multiple responsibilities if they have the flexibility to work when it’s best for them.” Providing flexibility attracts and retains women in careers.

Through her job search, Villa applied for two tech positions. She said, “I became aware of them through friends.” For both positions, she was recommended by people she knew.

Villa was fortunate; she had connections through her work and existing relationships. A 2016 LinkedIn survey estimated upwards of 85% of jobs are filled through referrals. And some tech companies only hire by referrals.

This industry standard can be a barrier for women. Villa said, “Job searching is intimidating, especially for women who may have been stay-at-home parents for several years and are coming back into the work force. We may not have the same industry connections.”

Studies show that women are over-mentored and under-sponsored, meaning they might receive help on a resume, but not a job referral.

There are positive trends. The state of Utah, industry and other organizations recognize the issue of women in tech, and are working together to make changes.

When asked what she would like the industry and others to know about looking for a tech job as a woman in Utah, Villa said, “In my experience…the women I know who are going back to school or job hunting are dedicated, smart, great at balancing many different expectations and willing to work hard and learn.”

For women who are looking to get into tech, Tiffany Villa runs a networking luncheon. Contact tiffay@utos.org for more details.