As of 2021, women make up only 24% of the workforce at large tech companies, and in gaming, women are also underrepresented. While 45% of all gamers identify as women, only 30% of video game developers identify as women globally. However, mentorship can play an important role to help boost promotion and retention rates for women and minorities in the workforce from 15% to 38% in comparison to non-mentored employees.
Today, in honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Xbox has introduced a new mentoring program that aims to support everyone who wants to pursue a career in gaming. The program will connect women leaders at Xbox with aspiring talent through one-on-one coaching sessions to help foster career development for the next generation of leaders in gaming. More details will be shared in mid-March. It’s a meaningful step to improve diversity and representation among the people who make games and inspire new and unique content that appeals to more gamers.
It is Xbox’s hope that this program generates meaningful engagements with tangible and purposeful actions to help foster career development in the games industry. With the program available in multiple markets kicking off this month, Xbox is opening up its world to inspire and support the next generation of women leaders in gaming. More details will follow in mid-March.
