HR News, CCR Magazine and Credit-Connect have featured an article on Digdata’s partnership with Experian, focussing on why just 1 in 5 female students are considering a career in the data industry

Lack of confidence with science and maths found to be discouraging candidates.

Experian partners with The Data Inspiration Group to inspire young people and develop their data skills and knowledge.

Only one fifth of women studying at degree level are currently thinking about pursuing a career working in data, a new study from Experian has revealed.

The research, which surveyed 1,204 UK consumers in education, found that most female students are put off because the don’t think they have the right set of skills, with nearly half (48 per cent) suggesting they’d ruled out this career path due to a lack of confidence with science or maths.

To raise awareness of the opportunities available to students of all backgrounds, Experian has partnered with The Data inspiration Group to support its Digdata initiative, a programme of bite-sized, virtual work-experience challenges, live online career panels and classroom resources. Digdata is designed for all students in secondary and tertiary education, as well as teaching staff and career leaders.

Promisingly, Experian’s survey showed that there is appetite amongst younger female students to learn more about careers in data. Over two fifths (46 per cent) of young women studying at further education level (such as A-Levels) say the curriculum should be updated so students learn how data and maths can address some of society’s major challenges, such as the climate crisis.

Many female university students also see the benefits of a career working in data. Among those definitely open to pursuing tech as a career path, 36 per cent think that such jobs may pay more, while 30 per cent say they have been inspired by someone they know working in the field.

However, education institutions and companies still clearly need to do more. Only 31 per cent of women at degree level have noticed ads for data-related roles on social media.

Click here to read the full HR News article.

Click here to read the full CCR Magazine article.

Click here to read the full Credit-Connect article.