The world of information technology (IT) is a dynamic and highly popular field in today’s modern world. However, there is an interesting demographic trend in the IT sector—there are more men working in this field than women. Despite significant progress made by women in recent years and an increase in their representation in IT, they still remain a minority compared to men.
Speaking from her own experience, Daniela Chovancová, fell in love with IT. Ever since she was little, she designed and programmed her first computer games, and at the age of 18, she even started her own project and began offering her services. She believes that IT is not an environment exclusively for men, as gender does not play a crucial role here. According to Daniela, IT offers numerous opportunities where creativity, empathy, and the right mindset are what matter most. Women can shine in this field. She shared more about her experiences in an interview.
When did you realise that IT is the way you want to follow?
Since elementary school, I’ve enjoyed creativity combined with technology. I was also drawn to entrepreneurship, and the idea of creating my own projects using IT skills seemed like the perfect combination. It helped me turn my ideas into reality and overcome various barriers. I explored the possibilities of graphic design, development, and marketing, and discovered that designing and developing websites and applications perfectly align with my interests.
Daniela Chovancová
Choosing to study at a technical high school specializing in electrical engineering greatly helped my development. It was a real challenge for me, as I didn’t always get straight A’s in elementary school. However, I came to understand what IT is all about, and I also received an excellent foundation in economics for my future business ventures.
How did you develop your skills later on?
Even before high school, I realized that IT isn’t just about numbers and data; it requires logic, creative thinking, and entrepreneurial ideas. That understanding drove me to find ways to improve my skills. It all led to the point where, at the age of 15, I created my first computer game. Throughout high school, I actively participated in various courses and workshops. It’s the best way to gain practical experience.
I had C’s in math and physics in school. This created fear and doubts among those around me, but I felt that working in IT wasn’t just about numbers.
Being a woman, did anyone discourage you from pursuing IT? Have you encountered any gender-based prejudice?
Yes, I think this is a broader societal issue that affects various technical fields, not just intelligent technologies. Even in school, as almost the only girl among all those boys, I stood out. People were surprised and wondered if I had mistaken the school. However, I managed to become the first woman to receive an award from the school board. I proved to myself that if you find something that truly fulfills you, you can take it further than you might think. Of course, you can’t excel at everything, as was the case for me with physics. (laughs)
Daniela Chovancová
How did your career journey evolve?
Since I was 15, I worked for small and medium-sized businesses, where I developed my IT skills as well as my overall understanding of business. It’s the best way to gain practical experience—solving real problems, proposing improvements, and seeing the impact of my actions.
Working in smaller and medium-sized companies often provides exposure to various IT areas. For one of these companies, I created marketing content, set up advertising campaigns, and worked on graphic design. Over time, I identified that their e-commerce site was lacking in quality, so I decided to redesign and program a new one. These experiences allowed me to work on different projects and gain a comprehensive role in this field.
At 18, I started my own business. I knew what I wanted and was eager to create something of my own. Due to prejudices about my age and even my gender, I knew I couldn’t present myself solely as an 18-year-old student. My brand wouldn’t have had a chance to grow. So, I gave it a name and employed myself. 🙂
Daniela Chovancová
Does future of IT involve women?
Absolutely. Women and men have their own qualities and strengths that they naturally bring to the table—let’s not try to be the same, but equal, and see it as a great opportunity for collaboration and complementing each other. We don’t need to rely on stereotypes, as even men can sometimes fear this sector. For instance, not everyone is a math person like I am, but they might discover their creativity and passion for technology. Working in IT offers flexible conditions and the ability to create a free way of working, which can be very beneficial for women at different stages of life.
Women and men have their own qualities and strengths that they naturally gravitate towards—let’s not try to be the same, but equal, and view it as a great opportunity for collaboration and complementing each other.
