in my class there is a HUGE gender gap a bit intimidating and worrisome and i'm not sure if this is something i should worry about or just brush off?
i'm the only girl in my class planning to specialize in chemical engineering it's a widely known option so i thought there would be more candidates.. #chemistry #chemical-engineering #chemical #chem
2 answers
Logan Terheggen
Logan’s Answer
In my school, my class was split about 60-40 or 70-30 (I can't say I actively counted and we had about 100).With a definite male surplus. It is definitely intimidating and so I understand your trepidation. After school, depending on where you work you might or might not see something similar to this. In my current role, there is a healthy amount of diversity (beyond gender as well). However, in plant manufacturing roles you will typically work with far fewer women and that's just the reality of the current situation for better or worse. In the manufacturing setting, most shift operators and hourly staff will be male. Not to see there won't be some women as I worked with a ballin plant engineer at ADM in Decatur and also had lots of interaction with a couple of female floor personel. Consulting firms generally have a much better ratio though. So it also depends on where you end up working.
I'm not going to tell you to just brush it off or that it's no big deal. I just want to give you the facts as I know them. Not being a woman, I can't say whether or not there was a lot of discrimination. I do know someone close to me who graduated with a CS degree and was the only female in her year. She said it could be really hard at times, but she really loves what she does and is really happy she stuck it out. I'd consider reading Sheryll Sandberg's lean in book. I read it sophomore year and it was definitely an interesting read.
mathias’s Answer
If you want this, do it! My advice would be not to accept discrimination and also to network with girls in similar position on other campuses as well as girls on your campus on other programs