Celebrating International Women’s Day 2022 at Agilytic: #BreakTheBias
Today, March 8, is International Women's Day.
We're big advocates of the mantra 'Show, don't tell'. Today, we're sharing some ways we work to #BreakTheBias:
Striving towards gender parity: at the moment, women make up 36% of the Agilytic team.
Committed to a transparent salary policy and promotion paths.
Contributing to lowering barriers to entry by investing in awareness campaigns targeted at under-represented demographics in analytics jobs.
Offering flexibility for parents so that they can do their best work and grow professionally in harmony with their family life.
Women face many roadblocks to careers in data science and other STEM disciplines. We must continue to make strides toward empowering and representing women in the workplace, in schools and universities, and in our communities.
We're mindful to stay on the course towards actions rather than words, and know that this is just a humble start. A lot more work is needed to level the playing field. We look forward to learning, growing, and being a part of the solution.
Hear reflections from Farah Martens, Laurence Bedoret, Pauline Janta-Polczynski, and Valérie Coddens of Agilytic around breaking biases and pursuing fulfilling careers for International Women’s Day.
Farah Martens, Data Scientist
Why did you choose to become a data scientist?
I developed a taste for data analysis and visualization during my Ph.D. The field of Data Science in particular spoke to me because it is an exciting, rapidly changing, and very relevant domain with many applications. Although it was a big step going from academia to a job as a Data Science consultant, I took a chance and it paid off.
What are some of the biggest challenges that women face who want to enter the field of data science?
Data science can be a demanding field with a steep learning curve. It can be quite time-consuming to get into data science and I have the impression that it is often still more of a challenge for women to combine such a job with their personal lives. That being said, the fact that I am female does not play a role in my daily work, it does not even come to mind. At most, I occasionally notice during meetings that I’m the only woman at the table.
How can we actively challenge stereotypes, fight bias, and improve situations for women in the workplace?
I believe we can only get to a gender-equal workplace (or society) when we #BreakTheBias in both directions. Challenge the stereotypes that exist about women, like how it is supposed to be only natural that we take on a more caring role at home and focus on family rather than building a career. But at the same time, let’s get rid of the idea that men are supposed to rule the workplace, work all hours and be the ‘provider of the household’.
In practice, the gender gap often really becomes tangible once kids come into play. In my opinion, the Scandinavian model that ensures (and even demands) a more balanced parental leave when a baby is born is a great step towards making that gap as small as possible. Women are less easily put aside as ‘a mother’ and ‘family-focused’ and are less easily ignored. And men get the breathing room to actually get more involved at home. The space they then leave open at the workplace can get filled with women that are eager to show their skills.
Laurence Bedoret, Data Scientist
Why is it important that more women take up data science or data engineering in the near future?
Because women are underrepresented in this industry, we face the risk of seeing data-driven decisions and policies which are designed in ways that do not take women interest into consideration. This is unfortunately already the case in many aspects of our lives, and we don’t even realize it.
Why did you choose to become a data scientist?
I find it fascinating how we can transform raw data into meaningful insights which in turn help solve problems or answer major questions. With algorithms we dig out meaningful information from whatever data we come across and I find this powerful.
What does this year’s International Women’s Day slogan, #BreakTheBias mean to you?
I’m happy to be part of this movement! It’s time to break the stereotype that data jobs, or more broadly IT jobs, are male jobs. Although this industry is currently male-dominated, there is plenty of room for women, and we should take our seats!
What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of starting a career in data science?
Just go for it!
Pauline Janta-Polczynski, Head of Operations
What does the International Women’s Day slogan this year, #BreakTheBias mean to you?
Being included means feeling safe, safety is the number one priority of human beings. Therefore, for me #BreakTheBias means that we, as a global community, want the world to be a safer place for us, our neighbours and our children.
What’s your take on equal opportunities for men and women in the workplace?
I think that as women, we should work on our inner speech and be proud of who we are. Every human being has things to offer to the collective. Women's intelligence, intuitions, and bravery are priceless for collective intelligence at work. I feel very grateful to all these women who did the first step to free us; they've been very brave. Today, there are still inequalities, but we should not let them happen.
How can we actively challenge stereotypes, fight bias, and improve situations for women in the workplace?
By providing education and including diversity in school curriculums, remembering our history, gathering people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and travelling.
Valérie Coddens, Head of HR
On International Women’s Day, what advice can you share with young women entering the world of work?
Trust yourself, be confident, and stay humble - that doesn't mean 'belittle' yourself - it means: know your strengths, your weaknesses, your path of development and learn, learn, learn everyday from anyone and anything.
What key issues still impact women in the workplace?
What I observe that impacts women the most at work comes from core beliefs often held:
"I have to prove that I am capable of..."
"I feel guilty of being at work and not home for my children but I need my work to feel accomplished"
The mental charge: "I have so much to take care of at home after each day"
"Everything has to be perfect and under control"
What does the International Women’s Day slogan this year, #BreakTheBias mean to you?
After reading more on this topic, what comes to mind is 'Why do we need to conclude which gender is better, stronger, more of a certain trait than the other?' We are all individuals with our own preferences. We all have our 'genius zone' - our strengths and qualities, the best of which we should recognize in each other.
Thanks for celebrating with us, applauding the work and achievements of women, and breaking the bias!
