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Sample Student

October 12, 2010

Illustration Essay

Women in Computer Science and Information Technology

We use computers constantly, be it to communicate via email or mobile phone,

shop on-line, search for information, watch TV shows or movies, listen to music on

internet radio, and draw or print pictures for scrapbooking. Men and women use

computers equally; however, the big names in computers and information technology are

usually men like Bill Gates of Microsoft or Steve Jobs of Apple. There is still a shortage

of women in the areas of computers and information technology despite the wide use of

computers.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor predicts that there will be more than 1.5 million

computer specialists jobs available by 2016. Despite the increasing numbers of

computer-related jobs, interest in these majors has declined over the past decade. Fewer

students are enrolling in computer science and graduating with computer science degrees.

If current trends continue, by 2016 the industry will only be able to fill half of its

available jobs with candidates holding computer science bachelor degrees from U.S.

universities. The decline of interest in computing is more significant among women. In

2008, women only earned 18 percent of computer and information science bachelor's

degrees- down from 37 percent in 1985 (www.ncwit.org).

Societal expectations about male and female capacities regarding math and

science have helped to produce differences in how men and women use computers. Men

use computers for pleasure and entertainment while women use them to get things done.

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These differences in how men and women use computers reinforces stereotypes about

men and women's skills with technology. This creates a cycle that produces far greater

men in computer science. Men, not women, are expected to be good in math and science.

Gender stereotypes still exist in information technology. For men, an interest and

success in IT is still seen as "nerdy" and is associated with being socially inept while for

women, high level of skills and interest in information technology is still not seen as

suitable pathway for career.

The invention of video games encourages the perception that computers are toys

for the big boys and that real girls don’t play with computers. The perception of men

playing games in front of the computer all day establishes their image of being a "geek."

The image of being a "geek" or "nerd" that is attached to computer engineers does not

appeal to many women. This kinds of misinformed perceptions of gender and technology

may also contribute to the declining interest of women in the field of computer science as

well.

Most women are more interested in using computers to get things done than know

how it works. They regard the value of computer technology to simplify tasks and

increase their productivity. Looking up a recipe, planning a trip, buying plane tickets,

making other purchases on the web is time-saving. Men, on the other hand, are interested

in how computers work and how they can manipulate them to get their work done.

Younger people today are more exposed to technology than in the past two

decades; however, technology jobs are not on their list of what they want to do when they

grow up. According to a recent study of 1,000 U.K. adolescents, 90 percent of young

girls (between ages 11 and 16) think that computer gadgets are cool but only 28 percent

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of those girls are considering careers in technology industry. The number of boys in that

age range who say they've thought about pursuing technology careers is nearly double the

number of girls, at 53 percent, according to research conducted by the youth

communications group Dubit Ltd. (http://www.cio.com).

As if the declining rate in female students taking computer science is not enough,

the women already working in technology industry are leaving their careers. According

to the study by the Center for Work-Life policy, 74 percent of women in technology

report that they “love their work,” yet 56 percent of technical women leave at the "mid-

level" point just when the loss of their talent is most costly to the companies. The study

also found that more than half of women who enter science, engineering, and technology

careers drop out. They identified several “antigens” in corporate sci/tech cultures that

force women out: macho work environments, feelings of isolation or career stagnation,

cultures that encourage risk-taking, and time-intensive positions that compromise family

responsibilities (http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Why-Women-Leave-Science-and/4029).

There is also the belief that computer programmers spend all day in front of the

computer, secluded and do not work with other people (http://www.itstrategycenter.com).

This is another image attached to computer programmers and engineers that may make

women think of the profession as isolating and lonely. The image of information

technology as a masculine world may be causing women to reject the idea of IT as a

career choice.

Society regards males and females differently and has stereotyped traits such as

assertiveness, confidence and achievement with men and not women. Employees have

placed values on masculine traits in seeking to fill positions in information technology.

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Gender bias, geeky image attached to computer programmers and lack of contemporary

role models are responsible for the narrowing pipeline of women in information

technology careers. Women must overcome the stereotypes because they have skills that

computer companies are looking for in their future employees.

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Works Cited

Ashcraft , Ph. D, Catherine, and Sarah Blithe. "Women in IT: The Facts." Index of /.

2009. Web. 10 Oct. 2010. <http://www.nwit.org>.

Macavinta, Courtney. "Attracting Women to IT." CIO Strategy Center. Aug. 2007. Web.

<http://www.itstrategycenter.com/Board/peers/attracting_women_to_it/index.htm

l>.

Rampell, Catherine. "Why Women Leave Science and Technology Careers - Wired

Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education." Home - The Chronicle of Higher

Education. 18 June 2008. Web. <http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Why-Women-

Leave-Science-and/4029>.