Factors influencing software engineering career choice of Andean indigenous

Abstract

A diverse workforce is not just "nice to have", it is a reflection of a changing world. Such a diverse workforce brings high value to organizations and it is essential for developing the national technological innovation, economic vitality, and global competitiveness. Despite the importance of diversity in the broad field of computing, there is not only a comparatively low representation of women but also other underrepresented minorities, such as indigenous people. To gain insights about their career choice, we conducted 10 interviews with Andean indigenous. The findings reveal that seven factors (social support, exposure to digital technology, autonomy of use, purpose of use, digital skill, identity, and work ethic) help to understand how and why indigenous people choose a career related to Software Engineering. This exploratory study also contributes to challenge common stereotypes and perceptions about indigenous people as low-qualified workers, academically untalented, and unmotivated.

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