International Women’s Day 2021: Visibility for women in technology

Women in Tech: Details about a talk with career insights

As part of the International Office’s series of talks, Gabriele Költringer, Managing Director at UASTW, and Beatrice Gabbin, a graduate from the university, talked about international and academic career prospects.

In her message to employees, Managing Director Gabriele Költringer encouraged people to ‘put themselves first’.

International Women’s Day: Having the courage to put yourself first

Dear Colleagues,

Something outstanding occurred at the beginning of this year. For the first time in US history, a woman was sworn in to the superpower’s second highest office. It was a win that Kamala Harris, a strong woman with an impressive personality and so much passion for her work, really deserved. It’s great that we’re able to celebrate a female vice president, a woman who’s now made it to the higher echelons. But there’s one question that begs to be asked: why is she the No. 2? Wouldn’t she be an even better choice than Joe Biden? Yes! She possesses the energy, assertiveness and verve. She’s brought new momentum to the world of politics and cares about people. She’s the rock of the party and a beacon of hope for Democrats. But she still wouldn’t have achieved a majority if she’d run for president herself. Why does the enthusiasm for women end precisely at the point when the top spot comes into view? Does the widely discussed glass ceiling actually exist? According to Statista Österreich, only eight percent of executive positions were held by women at the beginning of 2020. So the answer to that question is obvious. The facts and figures speak for themselves.

‘Well, at least she made it to the second highest office’ – that’s an automatic response that can be heard from both men and women alike. The people around Kamala Harris are happy anyway: programs and a variety of activities for women are being set up, female managers and top executives are being appointed here and there – which seems to suggest that anything is possible, after all. If only in theory. But it is precisely this way of thinking that we need the courage to stop!

I’d like to encourage all my female colleagues today. It’s not about running a world power. It starts with the supposedly small tasks. I want to say to all women who are asking themselves if they’re good enough for the challenges they’re facing: Rise to the challenge or someone else will – someone who definitely won’t be asking themselves if they’re good enough!

And I’d like to encourage all my male colleagues to take the brave decisions that will help break with traditional patterns.

I’d like to end these thoughts by quoting Kamala Harris, who said in her inaugural address, “While I am the first woman in this office, I will not be the last one!”

I hope your start to the week is a courageous one,

Gabriele Költringer, Managing Director