Connected and committed? Culture and context in career entrenchment of Indian and native-born women in the United States IT workforce

Women’s representation in the IT industry builds surely from deliberate career choice but steadily from strong retention practices. Based on interviews of immigrant Indian- and native-born women in the IT workforce in the US, this chapter discusses socio-cultural and contextual nuances contributing to different patterns of entrenchment and participation between these two groups. It frames women’s representation in IT as a determinant of career entrenchment, a process that begins early in one’s life and sustains over time. Women born in India demonstrate a functional engagement with STEM careers due to socio-economic and cultural benefits, but those dissatisfied with such careers could feel entrapped due to the same factors. In contrast, native-born women indicate greater career fluidity which, while impacting their long-term participation in IT careers, may lead to greater labor force participation overall. We conclude by discussing strategies for improved participation based on lessons learned from the two diverse cultures.