Club creates safe space for women to thrive in male-dominated industry
By Kristine Pascual, March 25, 2025
Indira Guzman, an assistant professor in computer information systems and cybersecurity, recognized the importance of creating a safe space for female tech students.
After experiencing firsthand the patterns of microaggressions women often face in the industry, particularly as the only woman in her IT department, she applied for a grant from the National Science Foundation. With the funding, Guzman was able to research the disproportionate gender gap in the tech industry.
With the information collected from her research, Guzman knew it was vital to provide a safe space for women in tech to be vocal about any issues, challenges or negative experiences they encounter. To address the tech gender gap at Cal Poly Pomona, Guzman sent out an interest form to the CIS students and the response was extremely positive. Though founded less than two years ago, the Women in Tech club has already grown to 350 members.
“If you have these communities, you start being more open and talking,” Guzman said. “You learn how to cope with certain situations, and most importantly, how to not let those things put you down. The importance of these kinds of communities is very important for women, especially in this field.”
Alessandra Gonzalez and Nicole Ngoy, co-presidents and computer information systems students, played a key role in building the club from the ground up. They wanted WIT to be inclusive, so the club is open to all women majoring in tech and for those interested in the field.
WIT holds a variety of events including socials, movie nights, guest speaker sessions and workshops. They have also collaborated with fellow female centered clubs like the Society of Women Engineers and SHEcodes, encouraging members to connect over professional careers and challenges. According to Guzman, women make up about 35% of the tech industry, with the remaining 65% being men.
“As women, I feel like when we enter the tech field, we have a greater pressure to be correct,” said Abigail Jeffie, director of member affairs and a computer engineering student. “In my engineering classes it could be three girls and 30 guys, and when the professor asks a question, I won’t say anything because if I’m wrong, then that will reflect badly on me as a woman and all other women in engineering and tech.”
Jeffie was also part of WIT’s founding board. Under her role, the peer mentorship program was created, pairing experienced students with newcomers based on their majors and interests. Members not only receive academic guidance from their mentors but also get advice navigating the challenge of being a woman in the tech industry. WIT plans to create a similar mentorship program between members and industry professionals in the future.
WIT was presented with the “Outstanding Newcomer Award” from the College of Business Administration last year, a testament to the positive impact the club has made. One of Ngoy’s favorite memories was winning the award, stating it was what solidified the impact WIT was making in the tech industry.
Despite having a safe space like WIT, Gonzales, Ngoy and Jeffie opened up about their shared experiences with imposter syndrome. For many WIT members, it’s not just about doubting their academic abilities but also feeling they must constantly prove themselves to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field. However, Jeffie emphasized that this shouldn’t discourage girls from pursuing tech; it’s all the more reason for them to do so.
“Being the only minority in your class is pretty daunting,” Ngoy added. “But I’m noticing a lot more girls in my classes, and that makes me really excited for the future of tech, and it’s really inspiring.”
According to Gonzalez, members have voiced their gratitude to the E-board for providing a space for like-minded women to converse over their shared struggles and experiences. Faculty members have also reached out to WIT, expressing interest in the club or offering resources to support its members.
For future semesters, WIT plans to do outreach with young girls to inspire them to pursue tech, despite it being male dominated.
“We’re trying to take up space in this industry,” Gonzalez said. “A lot of girls don’t feel like they’re allowed to, and that’s one of the things we try to change by holding these very women centric and women-focused spaces and allowing girls to explore technical skills in a safe environment where learning is encouraged.”
Feature image courtesy of Women in Tech
