Suzi Perry: The technology industry needs more women

Campus Party has arrived in London for a week-long celebration of technology with a star-studded list of industry names ready to share their thoughts and expertise.

We caught up with tech fan and Formula One presenter Suzi Perry to find out what she thinks we need to do to get more women into careers in technology.

Glastonbury for Geeks

“I think technology is cool and I’m very passionate about it,” Suzi tells us. “We need to get rid of any negative connotations with the work geek. Being techie is cool.

"I think we’re already reclaiming the word 'geek' a little, which is positive."

As presenter of the Gadget show and Formula One, she’s more often than not in the minority at work but finds it bizarre that she’s still having to trail blaze.

"I don’t get a lot of joy from being in the minority,” she says. “Often I’m still described as ‘the first women to…’ and I think ‘wow, it’s 2013, we shouldn’t still be saying that!’ It should have happened a long time ago.”

She adds: “I love the jobs I do and I really think that if you’re good at what you do, it doesn’t matter what sex you are. So it’s about confidence. Women need to stop shying away from traditionally male-dominated industries and companies.

"My top piece of advice is to know your subject. If you do, you'll be far more confident than if you feel you're winging it."

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Boys toys and gaming geeks

“Until really quite recently technology was quite exclusive. It was done by mostly male coders and hackers in their bedrooms and didn’t have much appeal.

“Obviously that’s changed and now many people have blogs and are on social media, but it does still feel like the more nitty gritty tech areas are typically male.

“Perhaps it’s because girls are more likely to go out and socialise while boys stay in their bedrooms and play with computer games  - just to generalise massively!

“Boys get involved in some of the more intensive aspects of the internet and technology and that’s when they become more aware of its possibilities.

“Perceptions are definitely changing, though. There are some really fantastic women inventing amazing products, increasingly heading up tech companies and there are some awesome girl gamers. But it seems like it’s going to take time to catch up.”

Encouraging women to think career, think tech

“Looking out at the event right now, the majority of people sitting there online and plugged in are men, why is that?

“One big reason is that women aren’t being educated on what technology is available to them and what they can do with it.  At a wider level it’s down to school and government and even the media to shout about it.

“We need to be saying ‘You can do it and you’ll love it and be amazing at it!”

Suzi is reassured by the fact that women are flocking to social media, which is helping draw more of them into the industry as a whole.

“I don’t think careers advice at school has changed enough. They need to be suggesting being a graphic designer, designing games, working in social networking, using online photography… The list is endless. But we need to make sure girls and young women get to see it.”

“And teachers and careers advisers, need to do some courses to get them up to speed and learn to love it because it’s the future and it’s their responsibility to pass on that love to the children they teach.”

Suzi opened Telefonica's Campus Party Europe, which promotes digital skills across Europe.