The Tech Industry may statistically be a boys club, but women in tech are becoming more prevalent and getting more of their share in the booming industry. However, there’s still a daunting mountain to climb of incorporating more women’s voices in male-dominated companies.

 

For some context, 57 percent of jobs in the 2017 U.S. workforce are held by women, and 26 percent of tech jobs in the 2017 U.S. workforce were held by women, according to the Department of Labor. However, According to TechCrunch, 74% of young girls expressed interest in STEM and computer science, and only 18% of women hold computer science degrees — a disparity industry leaders should be concerned about.

 

Regardless, there comes a time in any career when you need to take stock in what you’re doing and seek a higher purpose, deeper motivation and cultivate a vision for an exciting future. Those things generally don’t just happen on their own — it takes a mentor, inspiring experiences, lectures or reading material to settle in where it counts.

 

Here’s a powerful lineup of books sure to light a fire in your inner girlboss and get you (or someone you know) inspired to be the change! (Men are encouraged to learn a thing or two, too!)

 

Women in Tech: Take Your Career to the Next Level with Practical Advice and Inspiring Stories // By Tarah Wheeler Van Vlack

 

 

 

If your takeaway from this article is only one book, it should be Tarah Wheeler Van Vlack’s “Women In Tech.” This fundamental work covers all of its bases for the aspiring tech entrepreneur while giving advice on how to navigate the culture. In addition to insightful interviews with successful female tech professionals such as Brianna Wu (founder, Giant Spacekat), Angie Chang (founder, Women 2.0) and Katie Cunningham (Python educator and developer), readers will learn the secrets of salary negotiation, the best format for tech resumes, and how to ace a tech interview.

 

Life In Code // By Ellen Ullman

 

 

 

In this illuminating and entertaining series of essays from Ellen Ullman, you’ll get the context of how Silicon Valley grew from its origins in the 1970s to now from an insider female perspective. The book stems from Ullman’s personal career experiences, where she unlocks the industry’s ethics and philosophies and provides insight on how to make your mark as a woman in the new wild west of tech.

 

 

You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life // By Jen Sincero

 

 

 

For a hilarious and encouraging kick, you can’t go wrong with Jen Sincero’s “You Are A Badass.” Sure, it’s a self-help book, but it’s self-aware enough to keep you laughing while teaching you the importance of what makes successful traits and owning your “badassery” in life, work and relationships. This book will help you figure out what makes you stand out and drive it!

 

Brotopia // By Emily Chang

 

 

 

If you’ve ever experienced the exclusive and toxic nature of “bro” culture in your career, you’ll get a satisfying kick out of Bloomberg Journalist Emily Chang’s “Brotopia.” In this exposé, Chang investigates the inner workings of Silicon Valley’s biggest titans and investors and interviews tech stalwarts such as Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg to YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki on how to change the bro culture.

 

Female Innovators At Work: Women On Top Of Tech // By Danielle Newnham

 

 

 

Through 20 candid interviews, Danielle Newnham’s “Female Innovators At Work” details the experiences and successes of female tech leaders in mobile technology, e-commerce, online education, and video games. A mobile startup and e-commerce entrepreneur herself, Newnham provides you with valuable anecdotes, insider advice and overcoming the obstacles women in tech face in their industry. It’s perfect if you’re looking to get started in a new career in tech or even if you’re a seasoned hiring manager seeking insights on the benefits of diversifying their team.