“You Can’t Box People Based on a Specific Stereotype”

Mara Chitimus, a software developer, has been working in IT, a male-dominated industry, since her second year of college to date. She said, "I think most people think girls in IT have to be very boyish; they usually expect hoodies, no make-up, and a tendency to hang out with guys. But just like with every job, you can’t box people based on a specific stereotype or expectation. I would say I’m a very girly girl, but I also have female colleagues who wouldn’t trade their hoodies and sneakers for anything. It’s true that in the software development department tend to be more guys than girls, but this doesn’t mean that the girls working there don’t love high heels and red lipstick."