The Metaverse, a virtual reality space where users can interact, should push the workplace to new heights.But as it is now, many are stuck Long-term corporate issuesincluding lack of diversity.
A recent study by consulting firm McKinsey found that 41% of women have used a leading metaverse platform or been in the digital world for at least one year, compared to just 34% of men. Also, a female executive is 20% more likely than she is to implement. Multiple metaverse initiatives Within organizations, only 8% to 10% of management positions are held by women in organizations promoting Metaverse standards.
“The underrepresentation of women in leadership positions in the metaverse industry today is due to organizational issues,” said Alina Vasile, vice president of production at VR workforce learning platform Gemba. increase. “The Metaverse and VR started as part of the gaming industry, which is another industry where women are still very underrepresented, which is a shame.”
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According to McKinsey, the lack of diversity is even more puzzling when faced with the fact that many women spend a lot of time in the Metaverse in the first place. 35% of the women surveyed are power her users, and she spends more than 3 hours a week. in the metaverse, compared with 29% of men. This willingness to be involved in the virtual space is likely why her 60% of female executives reported having two or more Metaverse-related initiatives in their organization.
According to Vasile, the problem isn’t that women are intentionally excluded from these spaces, but that 90% of women male-dominated industry A young woman’s talent doesn’t push her to want a career she hasn’t seen herself yet.
“Young women trying to figure out what degree they want to get don’t have female role models in tech like, ‘I want to be like her, I want to be able to do that role.'” says Vasile. Say. “In this industry, you don’t often see female CEOs and business leaders across magazine covers, news and social media, so there is a lack of awareness and knowledge.”
The story of Vasile’s technology and origins in VR is not traditional. She didn’t have her STEM or software engineering degree. The foundation for all work adjacent to the metaverseNow in a position to recruit more women into the industry, Vasile is building that recognition within her community by volunteering to speak at elementary and high schools and by speaking out as a professional. I have been working hard to create knowledge. Settings related to gender inequality.
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“I mentor, coach, and train other women within my team and across the business to help them join the team if they have transferable skills,” she says. In promotional opportunities, such as posting opportunities, I try to use more images of women, because when I see myself in a VR headset, I’m more likely to apply.”
At a time when women are being pushed out of industries like tech because they have to speak up about feeling burned out and juggling other responsibilities such as caregiving, tech giants of all genders are moving forward. should Same effort to diversify ranks, according to Vasile. Especially since the absence of women could hamper the success of the metaverse, as seen throughout the data.
“Without women, the metaverse would not be fully embraced or developed,” says Vasile. “It’s always seen as driving technology by men who don’t have women involved in their design, and they don’t welcome women business leaders.”
