Twin Cities Tech Community Champions Women in Technology
Software consultancy Intertech demonstrated leadership in diversity recruiting by hosting and sponsoring WomenHack in Minneapolis—bringing together an impressive gathering of talent and employers in the heart of the Twin Cities tech community.
As reported on the Intertech blog:
“Intertech sponsored and hosted a WomenHack hiring event in which 65 candidates and 12 firms participated in five-minute ‘speed’ interviews.”
The Numbers That Drove Real Change
The event brought together a significant gathering of talent and opportunity:
- 65 qualified candidates seeking tech opportunities
- 12 participating firms committed to diverse hiring
- Multiple rounds of 5-minute speed interviews throughout the evening
These numbers represent hundreds of meaningful conversations between candidates and employers—connections that simply wouldn’t happen through traditional recruiting channels. Each 5-minute interview gave candidates the chance to showcase their skills and personalities, while employers could assess fit and interest in a more personal setting than a resume review.
Confronting Industry-Wide Challenges
Intertech didn’t shy away from the stark realities facing the industry. In their blog post, they highlighted troubling statistics: women make up only 25% of IT employees and just 11% of executives. These numbers have improved only marginally over the past decade, despite widespread acknowledgment of the problem and numerous initiatives aimed at addressing it.
The persistence of this gap reflects systemic challenges that require sustained, intentional effort to overcome. Companies that succeed in building diverse teams don’t do so by accident—they actively seek out events and channels that connect them with underrepresented talent.
Minneapolis-St. Paul’s Growing Tech Ecosystem
The Twin Cities region has emerged as a significant technology hub, home to major corporations with substantial technology operations as well as a growing startup scene. Companies like Target, Best Buy, UnitedHealth Group, and 3M have significant technology teams in the area, while a vibrant community of smaller companies and startups adds to the ecosystem’s dynamism.
This concentration of technology employers creates both opportunity and competition for talent. Companies that can successfully recruit diverse candidates gain a competitive advantage, both in terms of team performance and employer branding. Young professionals increasingly consider a company’s diversity and inclusion practices when evaluating job opportunities.
Intertech’s Leadership by Example
Intertech’s decision to both sponsor and host the event demonstrated a level of commitment that goes beyond writing a check. By opening their offices for the event, they allowed candidates to experience their workplace culture firsthand. This transparency sends a powerful message about what kind of environment candidates would be joining.
For a software consultancy, which competes for talent with both product companies and other services firms, demonstrating commitment to diversity is particularly important. Technical consultants often work in challenging environments where communication skills and diverse perspectives are especially valuable. By investing in diverse recruiting, Intertech was building a team that could better serve its clients.
Why the Speed Interview Format Works
WomenHack’s signature format—5-minute speed interviews between candidates and employers—addresses several challenges in traditional recruiting:
- Reduced filtering bias: Candidates meet directly with employers, bypassing initial resume screens where bias often enters the process
- Efficient use of time: Both candidates and employers maximize their time by having many focused conversations in a single evening
- Personal connection: Short conversations allow personalities to come through in ways that resumes can’t capture
- Lower stakes: The brief format reduces pressure and allows for more authentic interactions
For the 12 firms that participated, the event offered access to a concentrated pool of qualified, motivated candidates. For the 65 candidates, it provided exposure to multiple potential employers and a chance to practice interviewing in a supportive environment.
Building Momentum for Change
Events like WomenHack Minneapolis contribute to a broader movement toward more inclusive tech workplaces. Each successful event builds momentum—employers see the quality of candidates available, candidates see that opportunities exist, and the broader community sees that change is possible.
Thank you, Intertech, for your leadership in the Twin Cities tech community and for demonstrating what committed, intentional diversity recruiting looks like.