Diverse group of women building a digital bridge to represent overcoming barriers in tech.

Breaking Barriers: How Tech Programs are Leveling the Playing Field for Women

Rhea Morgan in Tech & Innovation August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover effective strategies that empower women to thrive in the tech industry, bridging the gender gap and unlocking new career opportunities."

The tech industry, a powerhouse of innovation and economic growth, has long been recognized for its potential to offer lucrative and fulfilling careers. However, the persistent underrepresentation of women in this sector remains a significant challenge. Despite numerous initiatives aimed at promoting gender diversity, women continue to hold a minority of tech jobs worldwide, highlighting the need for more effective and scalable solutions.

Recognizing this disparity, a recent study delves into the design, implementation, and evaluation of two distinct programs in Poland, each aimed at facilitating the transition of women into technology-related roles. These programs, 'Challenges' and 'Mentoring,' offer unique approaches to skill development and career support, providing valuable insights into what strategies are most effective in bridging the gender gap.

This article explores the key findings of the study, examining the impact of these programs on women's career trajectories and identifying the factors that contribute to their success. By understanding the nuances of these interventions, we can gain a clearer picture of how to create more inclusive and equitable opportunities for women in the tech industry.

Unlocking Potential: The 'Challenges' and 'Mentoring' Programs

Diverse group of women building a digital bridge to represent overcoming barriers in tech.

The study focuses on two programs designed to support women in Poland seeking to enter or advance in the tech sector. The first, 'Challenges,' is a low-cost, scalable program focused on helping women develop portfolios that showcase job-relevant competencies. Participants work in teams to tackle real-world projects, receiving feedback from industry experts and building a tangible record of their skills.

The second program, 'Mentoring,' takes a more traditional approach, pairing experienced tech professionals with women seeking guidance and support in their job search. Through one-on-one mentorship, participants receive personalized advice, networking opportunities, and encouragement to navigate the challenges of the tech industry.

Challenges: Focuses on practical skill development through team-based projects and industry feedback.
Mentoring: Provides individualized support and guidance from experienced tech professionals.
Goal: Both programs aim to increase the likelihood of women successfully transitioning into technology jobs.

Both programs were highly competitive, with more applicants than available spots, allowing researchers to conduct randomized evaluations to measure their impact. By randomly assigning participants to either the program or a control group, the study was able to isolate the specific effects of each intervention on women's career outcomes.

A Path Forward: Scaling What Works

The study's findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and industry leaders seeking to promote gender equality in the tech sector. By understanding the distinct strengths of different intervention models, stakeholders can tailor their efforts to meet the diverse needs of women seeking to enter or advance in technology careers. As the tech industry continues to evolve, investing in evidence-based programs that empower women will be critical to unlocking its full potential and creating a more inclusive and equitable future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2211.09968,

Title: Effective And Scalable Programs To Facilitate Labor Market Transitions For Women In Technology

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Susan Athey, Emil Palikot

Published: 17-11-2022

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key differences between the 'Challenges' and 'Mentoring' programs?

The 'Challenges' program focuses on practical skill development. Participants work in teams on real-world projects to build portfolios and receive feedback from industry experts. In contrast, the 'Mentoring' program offers individualized support. It pairs women with experienced tech professionals who provide personalized advice, networking opportunities, and guidance. Both programs share the goal of helping women transition into tech roles, but they achieve this through distinct methodologies. 'Challenges' emphasizes hands-on experience and portfolio building, while 'Mentoring' focuses on mentorship and career guidance.

How do the 'Challenges' program's team-based projects contribute to women's career advancement in tech?

The team-based projects in the 'Challenges' program are designed to help women develop job-relevant competencies. By working on real-world projects, participants gain practical skills and experience that they can showcase in their portfolios. This tangible record of skills is crucial for demonstrating their abilities to potential employers. Furthermore, the feedback from industry experts provides valuable insights and helps participants refine their skills, making them more competitive in the job market.

What role does the 'Mentoring' program play in supporting women's careers in the tech industry?

The 'Mentoring' program provides women with personalized support and guidance from experienced tech professionals. These mentors offer advice, networking opportunities, and encouragement. This support helps women navigate the challenges of the tech industry, such as job searching, understanding industry trends, and building professional networks. The mentors can share their experiences, provide insights, and help mentees develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in their careers.

Why is it important to study programs like 'Challenges' and 'Mentoring' to increase women's representation in tech?

Studying programs such as 'Challenges' and 'Mentoring' is crucial because it helps identify effective strategies for increasing women's representation in the tech industry. By evaluating these programs, researchers can understand what works, what doesn't, and why. This knowledge allows policymakers, educators, and industry leaders to tailor their efforts to meet the diverse needs of women seeking to enter or advance in tech careers. Evidence-based programs ensure that resources are used efficiently to create more inclusive and equitable opportunities. The randomized evaluations conducted on the 'Challenges' and 'Mentoring' programs are particularly valuable, as they can isolate the specific effects of each intervention on women's career outcomes.

How can the findings from the 'Challenges' and 'Mentoring' programs be used to create a more inclusive tech industry?

The findings from the 'Challenges' and 'Mentoring' programs can be used to create a more inclusive tech industry by providing insights into successful intervention models. By understanding the strengths of each program, stakeholders can tailor their efforts to meet the needs of women. For instance, if 'Challenges' proves to be particularly effective in developing practical skills, similar programs could be scaled up or replicated. If 'Mentoring' shows a significant impact on career advancement, more mentorship programs could be established, or existing ones could be improved. By investing in evidence-based programs that empower women, the industry can unlock its full potential and create a more equitable future.