And computer jobs are becoming less about building hardware and more about cultivating relationships and connections. Kennedy said women's interest in computer and high-tech careers is growing. As evidence he cites WebGrrls' growth. In the last six months, WebGrrls has added 21 new chapters to the more than 100 worldwide, Kennedy said. More women would be interested in technology if they could see how it benefits people, said Gloria Montano, a computer scientist on loan from Compaq to be the director of the Virtual Development Center for the Institute for Women and Technology in Palo Alto.
Women go into fields where they can see the value.
But with technology, if it's done well, you don't know it's there. When you look at something like a VCR remote, Montano said, it's a gadget covered with buttons. Women prefer simple technology, she said, and they want technology to make their lives less complicated. But women are having very little impact on engineering design because so few are going into engineering and technology fields. In fact, their proportionate numbers have dropped since the start of the computer technology revolution.