Overview
Pathway is a digital platform that supports East Asian women in the technology industry with interview preparation. The platform fosters a supportive community by streamlining mentorship and peer-finding processes. It builds authentic relationships and networks, addressing Business diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) by bridging the tech gender gap.
Problem discovery
East Asian women have been identified as one of the most underrepresented and marginalised groups in the New Zealand tech industry. In 2023, only 27% of professional tech roles in New Zealand are occupied by women (Hubbert, 2023), and the figure drops even lower for women with East Asian identities.
Research question
How might we help East Asian women in the New Zealand tech space to overcome challenges faced in the recruitment process?
Process
To ensure the usability and viability of the solution, the Human-Centered Design process (HCD) by IDEO.org was used. A wide range of empathy-led approaches were utilised, including desk research, user journey mapping, user persona creation, etc.
The solution
The final solution, Pathway, is a digital platform that supports East Asian women by connecting interview partners, aligning expectations, and helping with progress tracking. This not only enhances skills and confidence but also helps job seekers embrace their cultural backgrounds for success.
Flow 1 - Mentor Dashboard
- Connect with an interview mentor and schedule online or in-person meet-ups.
- Make the meet-up more efficient by providing pre-meet-up questionnaires to align expectations.
- Track past meetings and take notes.
Flow 2 - Community
- Group chats under different themes help with connecting with peers and interview buddies.
- Ask questions and schedule interview practice sessions.
Flow 3 - Resource Hub
- View experiences and insights shared by others.
- Interact with posts by liking, saving, and commenting.
Flow 4 - Merch shop
- Shop for branded merchandise, which helps members recognise each other in person.
- View comments from other Pathway members.
Live prototype
Video abstract
Reference
Hubbert, J. (2023). Women In Technology Statistics (2023). Exploding Topics.
https://explodingtopics.com/bl...
