Advancing More Inclusive Tech Careers - Analyzing How People Develop Their Unique Potential and Thrive Through the Outreachy Program
Author
Dwomoh, Gloria
Term
4. Semester
Publication year
2023
Submitted on
2023-07-31
Abstract
The tech industry faces persistent diversity challenges, and quotas alone are insufficient. Open-source internship initiatives like Outreachy provide paid internships, mentorship, and upskilling to underrepresented and marginalized groups contributing to open-source and open-science projects. This thesis examines how people from underrepresented backgrounds—particularly Outreachy alumni—develop and harness their potential, and what additional program and technology assets can foster inclusion. A mixed-methods design was used, with a survey (101 responses) followed by 11 semi-structured interviews. The analysis identified six capabilities associated with success: learning, communication, empathy, work experience, perseverance, and curiosity. It also highlighted five key capabilities that, when strengthened, can help underrepresented technologists succeed: networking, technical upskilling (knowledge/expertise), communication, management skills (time/team management), and confidence. Participation in Outreachy and similar mentorship programs expanded opportunities but did not remove systemic and social barriers linked to underrepresentation. The study underscores the need for organizations to provide supportive, equitable environments and resources, and to cultivate inclusive leaders to enable diverse teams to thrive.
Techbranchen har et vedvarende mangfoldighedsproblem, og kvoter alene løser ikke udfordringen. Open source-praktikinitiativer som Outreachy tilbyder betalt praktik, mentorskab og opkvalificering til underrepræsenterede og marginaliserede grupper, der bidrager til open source- og open science-projekter. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan underrepræsenterede personer, særligt Outreachy-alumner, udvikler og udnytter deres potentiale, samt hvilke yderligere program- og teknologiressourcer der kan fremme inklusion. En mixed methods-tilgang blev anvendt med en survey (101 besvarelser) efterfulgt af 11 semistrukturerede interviews. Analysen identificerede seks kapabiliteter forbundet med succes: læring, kommunikation, empati, erhvervserfaring, vedholdenhed og nysgerrighed. Derudover blev fem nøglekapabiliteter fremhævet, som, når de styrkes, kan hjælpe underrepræsenterede i tech med at få succes: netværk, teknisk opkvalificering (viden/ekspertise), kommunikation, ledelsesfærdigheder (tids-/teamledelse) og selvtillid. Deltagelse i Outreachy og lignende mentorprogrammer udvidede mulighederne, men fjernede ikke de systemiske og sociale barrierer forbundet med underrepræsentation. Studiet understreger behovet for, at organisationer skaber støttende og retfærdige miljøer, stiller ressourcer til rådighed og udvikler inkluderende ledere for at få det bedste ud af mangfoldige teams.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]
Keywords
technology ; open-source ; success ; career ; Underrepresentation ; diversity ; inclusion