I believe the main cause of gender inequality in hospitality technology is that both parents and educators are not doing enough to foster women’s interest in STEM sciences and technology fields in hospitality and the economy at large.
I firmly believe that today's gender inequality in tech has absolutely nothing to do with machismo or sexism, and everything to do with upbringing, schooling, and the mass media. Tech recruiters aren't evil, macho-loving fanatics; there simply aren't enough female applicants.
A recent national study of 1.6 million U.S. elementary, high school, and college students clearly shows that girls outperform boys in math and science at every age. In the U.S., women hold 57% of bachelor's degrees, 59% of master's degrees, and 53% of doctoral degrees. However,
Only 12.4% of electrical engineering students are women. Only 18% of computer science bachelor's degrees are women. Only 21.8% of engineering undergraduates are women. Only 39% of MBA students in the country are women.
The result: Just 28% of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce is women. In travel and hospitality, the percentage is even lower.
It all starts at home. How many parents have told their daughters that the national average salary for a new graduate in the United States is $59,500 compared to $147,500 for a software engineer – more than double the amount? How many educators and high school guidance counselors have guided their girls to college degrees in STEM fields and technology careers?
The role of the family is crucial in shaping girls' future interests and careers. Interests in culture, literature and science often start at an early age and are part of a girl's development. As the father of two beautiful and accomplished daughters, I know this well.
Max Starkhov
Hospitality & Online Travel Technology Consultant & Strategist
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