actively recruit more and diverse students j. mcgrath cohoon ncwit uva because computing occupations...
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ACTIVELY RECRUIT MORE AND DIVERSE STUDENTS
J. McGrath Cohoon
NCWIT
UVA
Because computing occupations are too good and too important to ignore
WHAT IS WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN YOUR AP CS CLASS?
STEREOTYPES ABOUT GENDER AND COMPUTING ARE A ROOT CAUSE
Actively work against their effects
EFFECTIVE PRACTICES
Actively recruit using messages
that reach, inform, and appeal
to females
Use pedagogies that spark interest and build peer support
Personally encourage
Mentor
Explain that effort increases ability
FOCUS FOR THIS TALK
Actively recruit using messages
that reach, inform, and appeal
to female students
REACH STUDENTS WITH YOUR MESSAGE
Target those able to succeed in your course
Personal conversations
Visible, attention-getting
USEFUL MESSAGES FOR RECRUITING WOMEN & MINORITY MEN
APPEAL TO CURRENT INTERESTS AND CONCERNS
Belonging, with potential to have status in the groupRecruit groups instead of individuals
Role fulfillment - conforming to expectationsComputing is social, helps people, helps the nation, lets
you give back to your community
HELP THEM SEE THEY’LL SUCCEED WITH HARD WORK
Interest
Expected positive outcome
Achievement activity choices
Expectation of success is crucial
WHICH MESSAGES DEPENDS IN PART ON CULTURE
Flexibility: industry, geographic
Social relevance
Work with others
Time with family
Job projections
High salaries
GREAT CAREER! BEST JOBS IN AMERICA 2011
1. Software Engineer
2. Mathematician
3. Actuary
4. Statistician
5. Computer Systems Analyst
According to CareerCast
THREE OF THE TOP TEN OCCUPATIONS ARE COMPUTING
Systems Engineer
IT Project Manager
Network Security Consultant
Manage large complex projects
Plan, organize, and oversee the team on a computing project
Protect important computer systems from infiltrationSource: CNNMoney.com, Best Jobs
in America, 2011
WOMEN’S JOB SATISFACTION IS HIGH
CS & math STEM0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
WomenMen
Source: Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System @ NSF.gov
COMPUTING OFFERS EXCITING WORK THAT AFFECTS OUR WORLD AND THE PEOPLE IN IT
Create technology for
• Tracking endangered dolphins
• Mobile forensics labs for instant analysis
at crime scenes
• GPS systems that guide blind people
• Scanning DNA for childhood diseases
• Designing and displaying new fashions
Source: dotdiva.org
COMPUTER SCIENTISTS GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES
Lisa Rau founded Confluence as a technical resource to the nonprofit sector. She serves on boards and encourages a spirit of volunteerism.
COMPUTER
SCIENTISTS
WORK IN
EVERY
INDUSTRY
17
Source: dotdiva.org
EXCELLENT JOB OPPORTUNITY EXPECTED
Source: BLS Occupational Employment Projections to 2020
Graphic designers
Child, family, and school social workers
Computer programmers
Medical and health services managers
Network and computer systems administrators
Software developers, systems software
Market research analysts and markenting specialists
Software developers, applications
Computer systems analysts
Accountants and auditors
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Occupations with the Most Predicted Job Openings (in thousands) typically requiring a Bachelors De-gree, but no experience or on-the-job training, 2020
COMPUTING OFFERS MORE JOBS THAN OTHER SCI & ENGR FIELDS
Employment in Major Occupational Groups Projected for 2020, in thousands
Source: BLS – Employment Projections to 2020
COMPUTING OCCUPATIONS ARE WELL PAID
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Child, family, and school social workers
Accountants and auditors
Network and computer systems administrators
Computer systems analysts
Software developers, applications
$0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000
Median Annual Wages, 2010
TAKE CARE WHAT YOU COMMUNICATE
Beware of communicating or reinforcing stereotypes
Avoid comparisons with other groups
e.g., girls v. boys
Do not perpetuate stereotypes by repeating them
Refrain from implying only geniuses succeed in CS
Do many young women want to turn into Dilbert???
MESSAGES EMBEDDED IN ACTIVITIES, MESSENGER, IMAGES
E.g., Robots» Fun and competition v. saving lives
E.g., Young women talking to girls» Greater sense of “possible self”» Greater chance that language choices and understanding
will be similar
E.g., Photos on posters» Things rather than people» Teams that are mostly boys
PARENTS RANKING OF HOPES FOR KIDS
Sons
Persevere to meet future family responsibilities
Daughters
Be happy in career choice
REMEMBER TO TRACK AND REPORT YOUR OUTCOMES
Finally
PLAN ONE RECRUITMENT MESSAGE AND DELIVERY STRATEGY
Form groups of 4
Take 10 minutes to brainstorm and choose one idea
Report
QUESTIONS?