3 answers
Tiana
Student
Woodstock, New York
4
Questions
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Why is the gender gap so big for computer engineering?
I am interested in computer engineering. #computer #computer-engineering
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3 answers
Nicole Baillie
Data Analyst
483
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Tiana H. Thanks so much for your question. I see that you posted this question a little while ago so I hope my answer to you (or others who may read this response) is still helpful.
Love that you have asked this question! Having gone through and completed an engineering degree program, I agree with Daniel that it isn't aptitude. In some cases it is fear. Often times people hear the words computer and engineering and they get the shivers :). Other times, people may have friends who are in these types of programs, and see the amount of time they have to put in (and possibly a rise in frustration levels). There are days when one may feel that they are warring against a computer :).
Lack of encouragement or active discouragement also plays a role. Many young people rely on the guidance of others who they believe can and will give them good guidance. But that guidance can only be as good as what other people know about you. In other words, if a young person is looking for guidance from their guidance counselor but has never spent any time with the guidance counselor, it is unlikely that the guidance counselor will be able to really know how best to advise. If a young person has never shared with a family member, their interested and even success in technical work, that family member may not be in a good position to encourage to do more in a technical field like computer engineering.
Good Luck!
Love that you have asked this question! Having gone through and completed an engineering degree program, I agree with Daniel that it isn't aptitude. In some cases it is fear. Often times people hear the words computer and engineering and they get the shivers :). Other times, people may have friends who are in these types of programs, and see the amount of time they have to put in (and possibly a rise in frustration levels). There are days when one may feel that they are warring against a computer :).
Lack of encouragement or active discouragement also plays a role. Many young people rely on the guidance of others who they believe can and will give them good guidance. But that guidance can only be as good as what other people know about you. In other words, if a young person is looking for guidance from their guidance counselor but has never spent any time with the guidance counselor, it is unlikely that the guidance counselor will be able to really know how best to advise. If a young person has never shared with a family member, their interested and even success in technical work, that family member may not be in a good position to encourage to do more in a technical field like computer engineering.
Good Luck!
Daniel Moy
Google Software Engineer
159
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
I think has a lot to do with pressure existing at a high school or lower level that sways more women away from engineering. Also, there's a negative reinforcement loop, which doesn't help things either. Hopefully both of these are (slowly) changing for the better.
It's certainly not due to aptitude, or anything like that.
Nir Krawczyk
Software Engineer
124
Answers
Yonkers, New York
Updated
Nir’s Answer
Without a doubt it's not about aptitude. Some of the smartest most accomplished engineers I know are women. It mostly has to do with culture. Similar to music where you don't see that many lead female guitarists but you do see a ton of female singers, it has to do with set expectations. Not only that but it takes a certain personality to be comfortable to go into a field populated with men because you are going to be surrounded by mostly men for many years, some of which hold misogynistic views about female aptitude. That being said, most the women engineers I know are very happy with their careers and their daily work.