The Outlook for Girls In Engineering and Mathematics

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areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics employers are not getting enough women (Pozniak). High school girls only represent 17 percent of computer science Advance Placement (AP) test takers (O'Shea). The most significant group of minorities who are behind in earning computer technology degrees and working in science and mathematical professions are women. “Historically, women’s low representation in science and engineering was said to be due in large part of their lack of ability, interest, or both” (Horning 30). However, this is no longer a true fact according to Ward. Some suggestions to increasing the amount of women in sciences include introducing already present women faculty as mentors. Over the last three decades, women have become interested in almost every industry and occupation, but are not succeeding in receiving a degree in their new field of interest. Women earn about twenty-seven percent of mathematics and science degrees (AAUW). The need for faculty members in mathematics and science is greatest for women. It is proven that women and minorities who earn these degrees are paid less and advance more slowly than men.

Not only are women a minority in engineering, but also so are women of other races. Sixty-five percent of women who are in the workforce are white (National Science Foundation). The total amount of women, including all races, makes up only 1 percent of the work force. Other races of women engineers include Asian, African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian. The percentages of these women in engineering averaged around 8 percent of total women. Studies have shown that culture and availability of schooling can affect the amount of women in engineering. Being outnumbered in the engin...

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...undergraduates leave the

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Van Langen, A., & Dekkers, H. (2005). Cross-national differences in participating in tertiary

science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. Comparative Education,

41(3), 329-350. Web. 23 Jan. 2011.

Ward, LaWanda. "Female Faculty in Male-Dominated Fields: Law, Medicine, and Engineering." New Directions for Higher Education 143 (2008): 63-72. ERIC. EBSCO. Web. 19 Jan. 2011.

"Women in Engineering: DISPARITIES REMAIN DESPITE PROGRESS." Electronic Design 54.23 (2006): 34-42. Computer Source. EBSCO. Web. 19 Jan. 2011.

Xie, Y. “Social Influences on Science and Engineering Career Decisions.” Workshop

report from the Biological, Social, and Organizational Components of Success for

Women in Academic Science and Engineering. National Academies, 2006. Web. 21 Jan. 2011.

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