Today, we see more initiatives than ever to make air travel safer, quicker, more efficient, and more sustainable. On the leading edge of these innovations is technology. Tech drives Urban Air Mobility, Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Artificial Intelligence, Space Operations, and Supersonic Flight. Although it is difficult to find data on how many women in aviation participate in these innovations, I thought I would share more data on women in Tech.
While women make up 57% of the overall workforce, they make up just 27% of the Tech workforce. And of that 27%, half leave the industry before they turn 35. The reasons for this are multifaceted, including societal stereotypes and biases, lack of opportunities, and cultural norms that discourage women from pursuing careers in this field.
As we see a rise in emerging technologies in aviation, women's participation is now more vital for the industry and society. Diverse perspectives and experiences can lead to better products and services that meet the needs of a broader range of people. This is especially true for aviation and aerospace. Additionally, increasing women's representation in Tech can help address the gender pay gap and contribute to economic growth.
So, what can we do to increase women's participation in Tech? For one, it is crucial to start early. Encouraging girls to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) from a young age can help break down stereotypes and biases. Programs like Girls Who Code and Black Girls CODE allow girls from underrepresented communities to learn coding and other tech skills. According to We Are Tech Women, role models can be a vital influence on anyone's career, providing guidance, support, advice, and much more. This is especially true for women in technology, where it can be hard to establish oneself.
This encouraged us to find an inspiring young woman paving her path in aviation and Tech. Our guest this week on the AVIATE with Shaesta podcast is Angelina Tsuboi, a teenage Software Developer. Angelina has been solving problems through her passion for coding and app development since age seven. By the 11th grade, Tsboui had created a few resourceful apps, like an app for the Apple Watch that guides users through CPR and Lilac, where non-English speaking parents can access childcare and housing resources, and finally, the app called Pilot Fast Track. Pilot Fast Track helps you find customized flight scholarships, explore opportunities in aviation, and discover resources to help fund your aviation endeavors.
Throughout our conversation, I was so humbled by how wise Angelina is at such a young age. In addition to providing real solutions through the apps she has built, Angelina also shares how "Global problems have local roots. By solving a problem within your community, you can solve a global one."
Welcome, Angelina.
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A special thank you to Atlantic Aviation for sponsoring our podcast and providing these critical conversations and insights to the industry. We appreciate your partnership.
