Women/Girls in technology

As a School Board Trustee in Michigan I have been starting the conversation about Women/Girls and technology. In this "Flat World" the jobs of the future will focus on technology,science, and math, accounting for 50% of all new jobs. To compete with the world many women will need to account for these new jobs.

Unfortunately, I do not see our education system taking on the responsibility of finding ways to get girls interested in math, science, and technology. Sometimes I feel like the girls are intimidated ny the male dominated fields. As a Supervisor for Best Buy I have trouble hiring enough females...again I think it may have to do with our culture assuming girls aren't interested. Any thoughts?

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Permalink Reply by Susan Kirkpatrick on January 16, 2009 at 9:44am: Was just going to reply and totally agree with this... when I realized apparently we have the exact same middle and last names! ;) Right on.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Helen on December 30, 2008 at 7:28am: i think that there are lots of reasons there are not so many girls in technology, math, & science areas. But the biggest reason is because we're built different. Generically speaking, male minds are different than female minds.

Nevertheless, there are some of us that think closer to or in the same way and it is important to encourage us in the areas we have strengths in. Thankfully I went to an all girls school that specialised in the sciences. No-one ever said to me - 'you can't do that' or 'that's a boy thing'. I never got mocked for being interested in maths and technology. There were only 5 of us doing further maths at A-Level (kind of like college level in the US) but that didn't bother me either.

Women do need to be in technology etc but we mustn't assume that 50% of all people in technology must be women - you can't force it. Either you are interested in it or you aren't. It's important to encourage those that are and ensure they don't feel 'weird' or that they must be a lesbian or something (not that its a problem if they are they just shouldn't have it assumed because they have a more typically 'male' mind).

Just make sure there are courses that will interest them and that there is not a stigma associated with taking it. I got to take Design technology (electronics, materials, design: kind of like engineering) which really got me set off in that direction. Career options should be discussed - do they lean towards design? (architecture, engineering) or how things work (engineering, programming) etc etc.

I don't think girls are 'intimidated' by male dominated fields, but they don't want people to laugh at them and call them a boy or be treated as if they don't know anything by the men because they are female. People are always surprised at work when I am more knowledgable - it shouldn't be a surprise. If a girl has chosen a male dominated career it is because she really loves it and is good at it. Men seem to not realise that.

As for working at Best Buy - if you want to hire females - then go to where you are likely to get their interest - give a jobs bulletin to a maths teacher for his/her class, mention it in a local online forum, etc. Put on the advert - "we welcome female applicants" - it's not discrimination - it is positive advertising - apparantly that's the difference in law. You can positively advertise to a particular group as long as in the interviews all interviewees are equal and you choose the best applicant regardless of gender.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CK13 on December 31, 2008 at 8:05am: I think in 5 years of IT work i've only worked with one woman. But I've only met a couple of women who are interested in technology. But i guess it goes back to how they are raised. I was always encouraged to learn about and play with technology, while my brother didnt' show much interest in it till he was in high school. I guess its just a matter of if parents encourage their daughters to take interest in this or not.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Helen on December 31, 2008 at 9:59am: I think you are probably right in relation to the extra curricular activities. My primary school (elementary) had a chess club that I joined and my secondary school (junior high & high) had a debating club, electronics club, quiz team, etc - all gave me confidence in a male-oriented world.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by shellyelliot on December 31, 2008 at 10:31am: I'm a female programmer, and have worked with mostly guys throughout my career. Sure, people tend to write me off when I first walk into the room, but it's not hard to prove 'em wrong.

I don't want government or our educational system giving me special treatment simply because I'm female. If a person isn't inherently interested in science and technology, I see no need to manufacture ways to get them involved. They'll probably be happier pursuing whatever it is they ARE interested in.

I think it's primarily the responsibility of the parents to take the time to find out what their kids are interested in and encourage them along those lines. It's also the responsibility of women in tech fields to encourage and support each other, and to be more visible to girls who are interested but might be intimidated.

- my two devalued cents ;); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nugent on December 31, 2008 at 1:35pm: It's not special treatment, it's encouragement to pursue interests that they have. Its making sure some old school teachers treat females and males equally. Its about making sure we have enough people educated in technology to fill the job market. With over half the population females, we need to think about how we retain jobs in the USA.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by shellyelliot on December 31, 2008 at 6:53pm: I totally agree that we should work toward a social structure that encourages kids to pursue the interests they have -- particularly in the technology arena. I just think families and individuals (including teachers) are much, MUCH more effective than the federal/state government or cumbersome government-sponsored institutions like the dept. of education. All I've ever seen from 'programs' is a lot of unfulfilled promises and wasted tax dollars.

We, as individuals, have a responsibility to create positive change... and I think the fact that you are asking this question and starting the discussion is exactly what we need to start things moving in a better direction.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sol McNally Aka : Dmitri Girl on December 31, 2008 at 4:55pm: I totally agree with you shellyelliot, And the responsibility of the parents. I feel that this is something that I got as a child that I didn't realize til later in life how many people never got the support of this from their parents. I will say that my dad being a teacher. Probably had a lot to do with this.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by zach on December 31, 2008 at 10:42am: none of the girls i know personally are at all interested in tech, they will get a phone or w/e thinking its cute not thinking its a good phone, so it seems like ive developed this kind of disrespect when it comes to girls opinions on tech (even tho i know alot are way smarter than i am), like if i want to buy something i usually look up video reviews on it, and whenever its a girl i always instantly click off of the video lol, the only girl i ever enjoy watching in tech is veronica belmont; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by franklin on December 31, 2008 at 11:20am: Most girls dont like tech

they rather do other stuff

its not that they are intimidated, they just dont like this stuff; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sol McNally Aka : Dmitri Girl on December 31, 2008 at 2:48pm: I am a girl that is interested in technology. And would love to well work for somewhere of this sort. But at my local best buy. The Females are all cashiers. They are rarely the ones walking around telling people things. I think what most people would call male dominated fields are honestly ridiculous. Considering that every job I have ever had I have been basically around cars. At least for the last 4 years. And honestly most of the guys at my work no less about cars then me for the most part. And our starting to finally trust me. So as for women working in "male" fields. You have to prove yourself 2x as hard. People don't think I know anything. Yet I go down to the oil change shop that we have for the cars and tell the guy. And him and I have conversations. I honestly think it is based on knowledge. And confidence. Females appear to be timid about technology. Due to the simple fact that their (husband, bf) Take care of hooking up the electronics in their home. And men or guys when they are well around the ages of 16-18. Hook up speakers and stereos in their cars as well as for their home. Dad usually wants to be lazy. Once he feels the kid can do it. My dad on the other hand is far from the handyman. I took classes in high school for all my computer and car knowledge. Although I must say that people. Always looked at me funny when I worked in the automotive department. With my bleach blonde hair and my nails done. I also had my nails done when I was in high school and most of the guys in that class gave me the look like wtf is she doing in here. I will admit I was the only girl to make it through the entire semester of that class that started off in that class. SO I guess what I am trying to say is it all boils down to girls being confident and a lot of them have none. To be an equal in a "Man's Field".; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sol McNally Aka : Dmitri Girl on December 31, 2008 at 4:33pm: Well Tex, All we can do is try to blow them out of the water with our knowledge. Because being little Ms. Timid is not going to suffice for what we know in the work field. As well. I knew this day would come. My thing was when. And I am ready for this long term uphill battle I have to feet. As for the reactions. I totally know the feeling. Well in the wal-mart career I was a female that got paid more and they tried to dock my wages. Lmao. And that didn't work well cause I have to agree via written documentation. Who would rightfully get their money taken away that they worked for. I am not a village idiot.; ▶ Reply to This