Women in IT - does that even fit?
Spoiler: yes, it does. And how!
Unfortunately, there are still some persistent prejudices that prevent women from going into IT. But the idea that IT and technology are just a "man's thing" is long outdated. The reality shows: Women are just as tech-savvy and analytical as men. This is shown not only by examples from history but also by our colleague Katrin, who talks about her career in this interview.
Examples of successful women in IT
Women have always achieved great things, even in IT:
Perlmann, who is also known as the "mother of the internet" as she was instrumental in shaping the development of the world wide web,-
Mary Kenneth Keller, who developed the BASIC programming language
the ENIAC programmers who programmed the first fully electronic computer
or Hedy Lamarr who laid the foundation for WLAN technology.
Will you write the next heroine story at FIDA?
How many women work in the IT industry?
The IT industry is not only one of the most exciting, but also one of the most influential industries in the world. Whether it's artificial intelligence, cybersecurity or software development - these topics are shaping the future. However, the industry is currently still dominated by men. In 2024, just 19% of IT specialists in Germany were female. (see eurostat. 2025)
Why are too few women in IT a problem?
The fact is: we need more women in IT! And the reasons for this are very simple!
Diversity promotes innovation
Different perspectives mean better, more creative solutions. Diverse teams therefore achieve success more often.
The demand is huge
The skills shortage in IT is enormous. So why miss out on half the talent?
Inspiring female role models
It's no secret - visible female role models can move mountains. They show that it is possible to make it in IT and inspire other women and girls to follow the same path. But such role models are not just big names from the tech world - they are often sitting right next to us. This is also the case here at FIDA. Will you be our next colleague? Take a look at our job advertisements!
Interview with Katrin Hofstetter - Frontend Developer at FIDA
Inspiring stories of women in IT are not only to be found in history. We just have to pay attention.
We spoke to our colleague Katrin, who has carved out an impressive career path as a software developer. She gives us an insight into her career, the challenges of being a woman in IT and what motivates her to continue conquering the IT world every day.
Who are you, what do you do at FIDA and how did you get involved?
My name is Katrin Hofstetter, I'm 33 years old and I'm from Munich. I became interested in web programming during an internship in online journalism because I was curious about how the texts I wrote ended up on the Internet and how they were formatted. At first, I only took care of the markup, i.e. the structure and styling of the website. Later on, I understood more and more how dynamics and interactivity come into a website and that got me even more excited, so that I could imagine it as a career.
Out of this interest, I finally took part in a programming boot camp where I was shown how to develop software. This was the start of my IT career. And now I've been in the IT industry for three years and at FIDA I do exactly what sparked my interest in IT back then. I design website interfaces that the user can see while I access data in the backend. That's the work of a front-end developer, as opposed to the back-end.
That sounds like an interesting path - what do you particularly love about your job that made you choose this career path?
What I love about my job is that you can get things done productively and make a difference - kind of like a craftsman, except that instead of a hammer and screwdriver, the keyboard is our tool. I also think it's cool that you learn something new almost every day, that no two days are the same and that you are very well rewarded for your efforts and persistence. Not just in a monetary sense, but also with feelings of happiness - getting a difficult bug solved is priceless and makes you really proud.
That sounds very fulfilling but also demanding - what qualities do you think you need to have to be successful in IT?
In my opinion, it is important to be able to think analytically and to be able to focus on a topic for several hours at a time and not be easily distracted.
However, I know myself that this is not always easy, especially when working from home, because there are distractions lurking everywhere. You have to discipline yourself not to want to do several things at the same time.
So a love of brain teasers and attention to detail is required. But there are also other areas in IT, such as UX (user experience) design, where you have to be empathetic towards other people to make website interfaces as appealing as possible, or IT consultants, who have to have great communication skills.
All in all, I don't think it's possible to define the exact qualities required for IT professionals, as the areas of application and activities are very diverse and every employer has a different focus.
How was it for you to enter this male-dominated industry? Did you ever have to deal with self-doubt or prejudice from others?
My entry into IT was via a programming boot camp and then at a service provider company based in Stuttgart. Fortunately, it was very easy for me to get started as I had an "onboarding buddy" who showed me around and who I could ask anything I wanted to know.
After about a month of onboarding, I was assigned to a project that was structured in a similar way to what I had already learned in my bootcamp training. So I immediately felt comfortable and was able to get started.
But even after 3 years in the IT industry, I still constantly struggle with self-doubt, especially when I can't find the solution to a problem. But as I'm still rather young in IT, I don't worry too much and immediately remember that you can't know everything and that you can always ask for help. After all, no master has fallen from the sky and I know programmers who, after 10 years, still don't know how to write a RegEx themselves or have to look up JavaScript functions. Nobody can store everything in their head, you have to know where to look if the worst comes to the worst.
However, I can't say anything about prejudice - so far I've never had the feeling that there's prejudice against me just because I'm a woman. Contrary to all expectations, I find IT people to be very open and helpful.
'No master has ever fallen from the sky' - you're absolutely right. But are there also moments when you are fully convinced of yourself and think: "Yes, this is exactly the right thing for me!"?
I had this feeling when I started programming and built my first small websites on my own. They looked terrible, of course, but just the feeling of being responsible as a front-end developer for the design of a site that several people could then use made me proud, then as now. Sometimes that feeling comes back when you think you've done well in your project or it's just really fun to design and build a new feature from scratch. There's a bit of fulfillment in that too.
To round things off: in one sentence - what advice would you give to young women who are considering going into the IT sector but are unsure?
Anyone and everyone can program!
The conversation with Katrin impressively shows how important it is to overcome boundaries - our own as well as those imposed on us from outside. "Anyone and everyone can program!" - a sentence that not only motivates, but also opens doors for all those who have not yet dared to discover the IT world for themselves.
The IT industry has long been more than just code and numbers: It is a place where creativity, problem-solving skills and a spirit of innovation are in demand. And that is precisely why we need more women to help shape this space, broaden perspectives and contribute new ideas. Because IT is a playing field. It is YOUR playing field. So what are you waiting for, apply for one of our exciting positions and get off to a flying start as a woman in IT!
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about women in IT
According to the Federal Government's Gender Equality Report, the proportion of women in the information and communication technology sector is around 16%.
Obstacles include traditional role models, a lack of visibility of role models, little early exposure to technology at school and a lack of networks and support structures.
A more diverse composition of teams brings different perspectives, increases innovation potential and contributes to better solution design, especially when digital products or services are geared towards real user needs.
Yes, lateral entry is possible - e.g. via further training, boot camps or practical projects. The decisive factors are technical curiosity, a willingness to learn and a culture that actively supports diversity.
