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The Best Careers for Women in Tech

Posted by Denette Wilford on January 25, 2018

The gender pay gap exists in just about every industry, but the tech sector is where women are largely underrepresented. Historically and even culturally, it's males who have been pushed to pursue STEM jobs — but that's changing. Hallelujah.

Starting at elementary school levels, girls are encouraged and supported to delve into sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics, and with more young women opting to explore those avenues on a post-secondary level, tech companies are finally recognizing that, and in turn, there are more careers for women and especially women in tech.

So there's hope, ladies. For all those who are trying to find a job in the tech field, these are your best bets.

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    Web designer

    You need to be both creative and technically inclined, and can both build or redesign websites, making them pretty to look at, but but also be sharp enough to know what makes a site function and easy to navigate.
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    User experience designer

    If you're a whiz at user interface design, the layout of a product and building pages or screens, you need to take a walk down this technical albeit creative career path. It's also one of the jobs with the best work/life balance.
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    Computer programmer

    Staring at a screen writing code, testing programs and repairing bugs and glitches might seem a little monotonous but many women tend to like routine. Not to mention, if you like working alone, this is one of the absolute best jobs for introverts.
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    Web developer

    You'll be doing anything from creating scripts, writing code, developing user interfaces and ensuring that websites are running as efficiently as possible. Pfft, no sweat. Though you might be competing against lots of new mothers for the gig, seeing as this is also one of the best jobs for moms.
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    Technical writer

    If technology is your bag and translating complex details into layman's terms is easy-peasy, this job is calling your name. Even to the introverts out there.
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    Computer and information systems manager

    Devising, monitoring, coordinating, implementing and evaluating any and all computer-related projects, you also oversee the duties of a team of analysts.
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    IT project manager

    For those who have some IT experience but want more responsibility and want to work on their leadership skills, this is the kind of role that best suited for those who thrive on organization and are deadline-oriented. Project managers delegate and oversee their team's actions, as well as plan for the needs and workflow of the group.
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    Network/system administrator

    The administrator's job is to keep internal business systems and software running properly, ensuring that computer systems are running smoothly, basically making sure problems are taken care of before they even arise.
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    Database administrator

    Along with ensuring data integrity and maintaining data organization, you're responsible for protecting a company's critical and confidential data. So learning how to install, configure, upgrade, secure, backup, and recover data is just a drop in the bucket of your day.
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    Database developer

    Where database administrators are more focused on routine maintenance and support for an existing database setup, database developers focus more on improving databases, and expanding their range and functionality.
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    Mobile developer

    It takes a technically savvy person to lead the creation of mobile apps, be it for iOS, Android, or other portable devices but if you can get into this field, it can be one of the most satisfying careers around.
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    Software developer

    Since women are born to multi-task, balancing the development of programs, creating user interfaces, testing software and website administration for anything from Java to .NET to PHP, this'll be a piece of cake. And rewarding, to boot.
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    Help/support desk technician

    If you know your stuff, you can pass along your wisdom to those who require technical assistance and support for anything from computer systems, hardware and software. But aside from telling people to reboot their systems and train computer users, you might also need to write training manuals as well as maintain the daily performance of computer systems.
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    Software engineer

    Similar to software developers, to the point where the two job titles are almost interchangable, but engineers have a stronger background in computer science and mathematical analysis.
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    Programmer analyst

    This position combines the duties of both a computer programmer (coding systems and software) and a software analyst (analyzing software to ensure it's running optimally). It takes a strategic thinker with killer technical skills.
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    Business analyst

    Their main concern is with business software and programs, ensuring that those who use their software have the tools needed, that the software itself is running smoothly and that the internal software being used at a business level are the best ones.
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    Quality assurance analyst

    QA analysts are all about the quality control, testing software, systems and applications to ensure they're bug- and glitch-free and working to the best to their abilities.
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    Computer systems analyst

    Studying an organization's computer systems and procedures, and designing solutions to help operations run more effectively, these positions are also called systems architects, which sounds way more badass.
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    Data security administrator

    You're the person who implements the security systems, the ones that provide detection, prevention, containment, and deterrence mechanisms to protect and maintain the integrity of data files. A lot is riding on you, but you got this.
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