Stereotypes can destroy a work environment, classroom, or any other public venue. The stereotype could be harmless (i.e. assuming the man in the business suit and carrying the briefcase is a big-wig business associate) or harmful (i.e. assuming the man in jeans and t-shirt is the pizza delivery boy). Either way, our society is designed to create stereotypes based on all situations. Technology is no different. What’s the stereotype, you may ask. Well, in an article by Laurie Segall (2011), the claim is made that “’the world’s greatest entrepreneurs’ are almost all “white, male, nerds who’ve dropped out of Harvard or Stanford.’”
Shall we examine the validity of this claim?
- Entrepreneurial claim-to-fame: Facebook
- Male
- Leave of Absence from Harvard
- The Social Network leads us to believe he is, for all intents and purposes, a nerd
Mark Zuckerberg fits the stereotype.
- Entrepreneurial claim-to-fame: Apple
- Male
- Attended Reed College for a semester
- Designed first computer, consisting of only a circuit board
Steve Jobs fits two of the three stereotypical claims. However, the fact that he did drop out of college after a single semester leads to the same philosophy as a Harvard or Stanford dropout. Jobs is a match.
- Entrepreneurial claim-to-fame: Microsoft
- Male
- 1975 Harvard dropout
- Began studying computers in 7th grade, which lends toward the title of nerd
Gates is a perfect match. 
- Entrepreneurial claim-to-fame: Google
- Male
- Stanford PhD student
- Author of an algorithm (with Co-Founder Sergy Brin)
Larry Page is another match to the stereotype.
Four of the biggest names in technology fit the stereotypical claim almost to the letter. Should this be startling? Of course not. Seagull states that, with the pattern, investors have no trouble believing the company will take off, despite its construct or usefulness. She goes on to say that, in the technology world, diversity is just not a main focus. However, many are trying to rectify this situation. Some companies/programs are aiming specifically at female students. The problem, however real it may be, needs to be fixed. In a society where the dominant culture is shifting to the minority, companies must look toward new types of entrepreneurs. The stereotype, however accurate it may be, has met its end.
