Systemic Barriers Preventing Black Workers Entering Tech

A new survey has revealed that systemic barriers are still preventing Black professionals from entering and advancing in tech careers.

The findings from Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national non-profit aiming achieve equitable economic advancement for all, found that financial constraints, lack of STEM education and mentorship, are the top barriers for Black Americans entering and advancing in tech.

The survey revealed that around six in 10 Black adults not working in digital/IT would consider a career change to work in the sector. However, more than half reported they were unsure where to start (55%); or felt they lacked the financial resources (51%), skills (52%), or industry connections (45%) to launch a tech career.

BARRIERS TO ENTRY

Other findings from JFF’s survey showed that:

• Many Black professionals believe STEM career pathways are ‘out of reach’. Almost half (45%) of those who hadn’t studied a STEM subject (science, technology, engineering, or maths) said they had considered it. But 21% of these individuals thought it would be too difficult; 21% didn’t know enough about it; and 14% felt it would be too expensive.
• Gender gap compounds the racial equity gap in tech. While four in 10 Black Americans said they work in a digital or IT-related field, they were more likely to be men and between the ages of 16-34. Women were more likely than men to report leaving high school with only general technology skills; and no access to advanced technology opportunities. Black women also were 10% less likely to report a high level of job satisfaction compared to their male peers.
• Tech careers receive high marks but come with a cost. The majority of Black workers in tech roles (57%) say they are satisfied in their career. However, eight in 10 Black professionals in tech report having to work long hours to some extent; and nearly 8 in 10 felt that they earn less than they thought they should.
• Younger Black workers are more likely to view tech as an exclusive sector. Black Americans do not feel they have access to high-paying careers. Black millennials and Gen Zers were more likely (24% and 29%) to view technology as exclusive; compared to 17% of Black Gen Xers and 15% of Black baby boomers.
• Black workers view mentorship as key to career success, and most don’t have access. Almost half (45%) of those surveyed had consulted either a formal or informal mentor at some point; with 77% sharing the same race or ethnicity – a commonality found to be useful. But 55% of Black Americans reported never having a career mentor.
• Six in 10 would consider changing careers to work in tech. Black men were more likely than women to consider this career change; as were younger workers ages 16-44 compared to those ages 45-64. Additionally, Black workers cited learning new skills (56%) and earning more money (57%) as primary motivations for switching careers.
• Black career changers prefer short-term courses to traditional higher education. Those interested in breaking into tech prefer free online resources (39%) and short-term courses (33%) to help prepare for a change careers. A lower but still significant proportion were open to enrolling in higher education either full-time (18%) or part-time (26%).

RECOMMENDATIONS

“In an increasingly tech-driven economy, careers in IT and tech can offer pathways to economic advancement and prosperity. However, too many Black Americans – particularly Black women – face systemic barriers that leave the economic opportunity of the tech industry out of reach,” highlighted Michael Collins, Vice President at JFF; leading the organisation’s racial economic equity initiative. “We need to better understand these barriers; which begin in K-12 education and higher education only to be reinforced in the workplace.”

The survey is a component of JFF’s broader efforts to advance racial economic equity and increase both the number and proportion of Black Americans in high-earning careers; including digital and IT. It was carried out in association with consumer research agency AudienceNet; to provide crucial insight into the barriers and enablers to career preparation, entry, and advancement for Black Americans in digital and IT professions.

JFF recently published a set of recommendations for promoting the economic advancement of Black Americans in today’s economy in a report titled Achieving Black Economic Equity: A Purpose-Built Call to Action. In addition, JFF published a report titled Purpose-Built to Advance Equity: Expanding Opportunities in Tech for Black Americans; evaluating 200+ startups, educational institutions, non-profits, and other programmes focused on the development of Black talent in technology careers. Both publications were produced in partnership with Comcast NBCUniversal. Click here to read more.

Black professionals in tech have to switch jobs more frequently than non-Black peers to seek career growth and progression, according to a new study. Click here to read more.