Women dream of being self-employed, research shows

The most popular ambition for women working in IT is to eventually become self-employed, new research has shown.

A study by website womanintechnology.co.uk, which questioned attendees at its recent W-Tech career advice event, showed that 14 per cent of respondents wanted to work for themselves, become their own boss or be an entrepreneur when asked what they would consider as their dream job.

Up to 12 per cent said they would like to work in project management while eight per cent were keen to become IT consultants.

Maggie Berry, director of womenintechnology.co.uk, told Personnel Today: "The answers that these women gave ranged from consultant to software tester, and from researcher to executive coach."

"It goes to show just how many different career paths IT can offer. The results also highlighted how ambitious women in IT are."

The website recently launched an initiative to encourage its members, which consist of nearly 5,000 IT professionals, to provide careers advice to young woman interested in working within the sector.