Why are so many transwomen computer programmers/engineers/IT?

[Nero]

Now I know this is a generalization and how unpopular stereotypes are on here, but I'd always heard that many mtfs seem to have higher IQs than the rest of the population. From what I've observed, there appears to be some truth to it. Clearly, a lot of brainy people work in IT. Not sure if it works in the other direction. I wouldn't be what you'd call 'brainy' lol.

[Emily Aster]

I worked in IT for a long time and it is very very easy work for me, but now I do truly hate it and am trying farming now,

Ha! I thought about switching to farming a few times. I still like programming, but at the job it's the same stuff over and over and over and over again... boring. But then when I get home, I don't feel like doing the fun parts of it anymore.

[Misato]

I guess it depends on the specialization. I write the stuff that people never see like encryption and compression algorithms, the servers themselves, DRM, etc. I've only spoken to a client once in about 20 years in the field, and that was because they were looking to replace an existing system and needed someone to do the research for them. Most of the time I just get a stack of requirements and a go button.

I'd still be surprised if you were alone in the dark.  I'm thinking meetings, perhaps daily stand ups if you're doing something agile-ish, collaborating with colleagues, any kind of conventions.

My project right now is solo, but I get a lot of quality time with QA and my Project Manger still. 

[Anna++]

Because it's fun!  I think of it like a puzzle.  I get as many of whatever pieces I want, and it's up to me to figure out the best way to turn that into the "picture on the box".  I'm sure there is a bit of escapism in there, too, though.  My projects, both personal, work and school related, are all things I'm proud of and that's given me something to do to feel better about myself especially when I was still trying to run away from being transgender.

Also, I enjoy manipulating computers into doing my bidding... * evil laugh *

[EmmaS]

I'm only one person but I'm terrible with computers haha.

[muffinpants]

My gf is a computer engineering major too I gotta read through this thread after work, that's pretty interesting that transwomen appear to be attracted to this field..

[Emily Aster]

I'd still be surprised if you were alone in the dark.  I'm thinking meetings, perhaps daily stand ups if you're doing something agile-ish, collaborating with colleagues, any kind of conventions.

I do have daily stand-ups and collaborations, but I work from home and most of them do too. We don't actually see each other face to face.

[Eva Marie]

For me it was a combination of being a social outcast and finding that computers were an interesting puzzle to figure out.  The solitary work conditions were an added plus. I have personally seen a lot of strange personalities in this industry - people with horrible social skills, or conditions that could be described as "asperger-ish".  Most of these "weird" people are truly brilliant in some way. When it's just you working with computers "weird" doesn't matter - what you can accomplish is the only thing that matters. Computers don't judge you, and weirdness can be an asset.

And speaking of math - I am not a math whiz by any means (I can add, subtract, multiply, and divide LOL....), but I find that there is plenty of work in the industry for the non math gifted people too - people that are good with logic skills, people that are good with communicating with both the business people and the programmers (translating between them), or "big picture" people that can understand and solve huge business problems.

[Anna++]

I've also noticed that a lot of the people I juggle with are also computer programmers.  Maybe computer programming sits between the parts of the brain that make people think "I want to play with balls" and "... as long as they're not the ones attached to my body"

[Bexi]

I kind of suspect it may be just that those with early access to computers may be more likely to have spent a lot of time on the net and discovered they were trans. More access to information.

Yeah, I agree with this. I only learned about ->-bleeped-<- after sifting through a lot of the BS to the real stories and (people) behind the façade of mass media.

For what its worth, I'm more of an Economics gal myself, though do indulge in the black arts of Marketing from time to time.

x

[Trixie]

I used to be really, really into computing. For some reason I've lost a lot of interest in it though, which is a shame. Not arw is more my thing.

I do like to code still, on occasion.

I'm not sure why a lot of transgirls are into computers though.

[jessicas37]

Pre Transition- I owned a chained of retail computer stores(at one time , Degree in programming and developed software for the law enforcement industry. I even helped write a DX game engine for VB(truevision3d- No visual Basic flames allowed i can do anything with VB and .net that you C People can do with C and i dont have an exploding headache at the end of the night). When i transitioned and went through divorce i lost all my stores and 95% of my customers i still have a few i service out of my home but no where near what i used to have or the $$ i was used too. I am now a school bus driver going back to school full time to get my RN. A new me and a new carrear.

[Brooke777]

I don't actually have a degree, but I have been a telecommunications engineer for about 12 years. I don't do it because I like it, I do it because it is easy and pays really good! As soon as I get my PhD, I'm going to be switching fields to psychology.

[MaidofOrleans]

most of my IT work was customer service, no one really cared if the computer ran properly as long as I made them happy and they could get there job done,

Well I'm retail customer service lol

[Anna++]

My opinion about this is really unpopular so please don't read it if you are really sensitive, but mainly it's because men are more interested in those fields and most TS women are interested in mostly male dominated things.

I'll add that there are plenty of cis-girls interested in programming, too (I dated one once!).  But yes, it is generally a male-dominated field .

[ZoeM]

The cynic in me says "Computer job = immobile = fat = more estrogen = trans."

The sensible side says "I like creative endeavors." My subsection/dream job in CS is video game development, particularly world-building. I'm never more at home than when I'm making the system generate ten square miles of rolling hills and forests.

[Misato]

I do have daily stand-ups and collaborations, but I work from home and most of them do too. We don't actually see each other face to face.

I stand corrected.  Exception to every rule.

[Sadie]

I'm not excluding myself really because the internet was my only social outlet when I was treated like crap by everyone for being too feminine, even my family.  Though I don't think using the internet a lot means a big interest in computers, but still...  I even tried to get into web design but it just got too hard to stay interested in all the little details and strict rules... I focus more on the big picture so I like more purely creative things like writing and drawing etc

But... it doesn't really matter if that's what you like, at the end of the day there's no point doing things if they don't make you happy.

I know exactly what you mean.  I always used computers and I like video games but after leaving the medical field I thought that would be a good career for me. Honestly though it's not. I realize this but I am kind of stuck, as I am older now as I can't really swing going back to school and with all the unemployed college grads is it even worth it?

Also funny you mention about the creative outlet, prior to switching over to nursing school I was a fine arts major in college.  I got so much crap from my family and friends about that it was worthless and I would starve, that I gave it up. I wish I hadn't.  You have to do something you love.

[anya921]

My opinion about this is really unpopular so please don't read it if you are really sensitive, but mainly it's because men are more interested in those fields and most TS women are interested in mostly male dominated things.

Guess I fall in to the same category lol. Architecture is pretty much dominate by men. But some times it feels really good to be the woman among loads of men  . Specially when you are good as much as them.

[Alainaluvsu]

By the time I stopped working in IT, I absolutely HATED it. The only thing I liked was making the wiring closets look nice and clean. And trust me, I worked some magic in that lol!