Despite best efforts to improve recruiting practices, implement and expand bias training and cultivate environments that support women and BIPOC groups, diversity across the tech industry remains elusive. The number of women in tech still only represents roughly 25% of the workforce, and is down from 35% in the 1990s, while representation amongst minority groups remains in the low single digits. Retention rates are even worse, with nearly 50% of women dropping out of the tech field by age 35.
These numbers not only paint a clear picture of diversity issues in the tech field, but also of a “leaky talent pipeline” where marginalized groups are falling off or disappearing from career and leadership trajectories more often than their white and male counterparts. This is made even more visible in the current spate of layoffs across Big Tech, which have overwhelmingly and disproportionately impacted women and people of color, setting many tech companies even further behind in reaching their own DEI goals.
