Genevieve Poncelet a first-hand account of the evolution of IT

When I began my career in IT in 1988, it was an entirely different world. At university, we still relied on punch cards for data storage, and statistical analysis was done manually. It was only when my brother introduced me to personal computing that I realized how technology could transform the way we work and learn. This revelation led me to enrol in an IT training program specifically designed for women—a rare initiative at the time.

Since then, I have never left the IT field. I have worked in development, network management, business process management, functional analysis, blockchain, and AI’s early predecessors—expert systems. Over the years, I have witnessed ground-breaking technological advancements and social evolutions: the rise of graphical user interfaces, the internet boom, the Y2K panic, and most recently, the shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a woman in IT, I never faced overt discrimination. It was however undeniable that I was part of a minority. In many teams, I was one of only a few women, sometimes the only one in a group of fifty. One curious aspect was that administrative tasks often fell to the women, regardless of our actual roles.

Balancing work and personal life was another challenge. In the past, flexible work arrangements were almost exclusively requested by women and were often frowned upon. I remember sacrificing time with my children because part-time work was not widely accepted. Thankfully, perspectives have evolved, and today, both men and women seek work-life balance, improving the industry’s overall inclusivity.

Though we have made progress, gender representation in IT remains unbalanced. Studies have shown that companies with greater diversity, not just in gender but in various aspects, tend to achieve higher levels of success. Embracing diversity can lead to more innovative and effective outcomes.

On International Women’s Day, I celebrate the remarkable women in technology who continue to challenge the status quo. Your contributions matter, and your presence paves the way for the next generation.