1 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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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