Why Are We Still Struggling to Get More Girls into Tech?

Technology shapes almost every aspect of modern life, yet women remain significantly underrepresented in technology careers. In this insightful episode of EmpowerTech, Iyari Cevallos sits down with educator, technology specialist, and careers advocate Cynthia Mahoney to explore why the gender gap in tech continues to persist and what parents, teachers, schools, and industry can do to change the story.

Drawing on her experience as a technology educator and her extensive research into girls' participation in STEM, Cynthia shares practical insights into when and how young people develop interest in technology careers, the barriers that often discourage girls from pursuing tech pathways, and why the solution starts much earlier than many people realise.

The conversation explores the critical role of primary education, the influence of parents and teachers, how schools can better prepare students for a technology-driven future, and what Australia can learn from countries successfully engaging more women in STEM.

Whether you're a parent, educator, school leader, or simply passionate about the future workforce, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating more inclusive pathways into technology.

Episode Highlights

01:09 – Cynthia's personal experience studying IT and what sparked her passion for increasing female participation in technology.

03:05 – Why Years 5 and 6 may be the most important time to engage girls in STEM and technology.

05:34 – The growing challenge of reduced funding for STEM outreach programs and the impact on future talent pipelines.

07:49 – Why schools alone can't solve the problem and the role parents play in shaping attitudes toward technology.

10:26 – The misconception that digital natives automatically understand technology and why using technology is different from creating it.

11:58 – The challenges faced by teachers and career advisors trying to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology careers.

14:01 – Curriculum limitations, government influence, and the difficulty of teaching future-focused skills in a rapidly changing world.

16:41 – How changing student attention patterns are influencing the way technology education needs to be delivered.

19:32 – Real-world cybersecurity learning and why practical experiences can dramatically increase student engagement.

21:31 – The difference between how boys and girls often engage with technology and why purpose-driven learning matters.

23:21 – Why parents should focus less on specific technologies and more on developing problem-solving and creative thinking skills.

25:30 – Practical ways parents can engage with schools and advocate for stronger technology education programs.

28:44 – The rise of innovation leaders and STEM-focused roles within schools and what they mean for future learning.

30:37 – How Australia compares globally and what countries like Singapore are doing differently to engage girls in technology.

33:44 – Quantum computing as a potential opportunity to reset perceptions and create greater gender balance in emerging technologies.

37:57 – Why introducing complex concepts earlier can spark curiosity and open new learning pathways for young students.

39:23 – The importance of industry partnerships, role models, and hands-on experiences in shaping career aspirations.

40:47 – Cynthia's practical advice for parents, professionals, and teachers looking to prepare young people for a technology-enabled future.

Key Takeaway

Preparing young people for the future isn't about teaching today's technology. It's about helping them develop the skills that technology will always require: critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, collaboration, adaptability, and problem-solving.

As Cynthia explains, the conversation about technology careers needs to start earlier, feel more relevant, and focus less on devices and coding languages and more on the impact technology can have on solving real-world problems. By working together, parents, schools, industry, and communities can help more young people, especially girls, see themselves as future innovators, creators, and leaders.