Graduating Engineer & Computer Careers

Tag Archive: women

1. Supporting Young Women in the Sciences

   April 29, 2010 3:46 PM Comments Off on Supporting Young Women in the Sciences

   Lately, women have been making a push to be more included in disciplines that were traditionally dominated by men, like engineering and technology. Two recent stories have showcased this drive.

   Mattel just announced Barbie’s 125th and 126th careers. The toy company, based in El Segundo, California, let voters choose the 125th career of the versatile doll. The winner was News Anchor Barbie, but when votes poured in from all over the world for Computer Engineer Barbie, Mattel couldn’t pass up the opportunity to use this as Barbie’s 126th career. Mattel designers worked with the Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering to produce a doll that has a binary code design on her shirt and a laptop—pink, of course. The doll also comes with a special code that unlocks career-themed content online.

   Another step taken to promote engineering and computer careers to young females is through the Girl Scouts. The University of Maine hosted girls from various troupes to teach them about opportunities in electrical and computer engineering. Though not for a merit badge, the day allowed the girls to consider future careers in the field.

   Read more about women in engineering and technology at GraduatingEngineer.com.

2. Women in Engineering

   March 18, 2009 9:00 AM Comments Off on Women in Engineering

   Women in the field of engineering have always been in the minority. Even at schools with the highest female enrollment rates, numbers rarely exceed 30%. And in the workplace, female engineers are vastly outnumbered as well.

   “The ranks of women engineers have grown from less than 2% of all engineers in the United States in 1978 to 9% of engineers today,” states a recent National Research Council study, Women Scientists and Engineers Employed in Industry: Why So Few? According to the study, working conditions for women in industry are perceived as being less favorable, thus resulting in fewer women in the field.

   For women to make their way in the field, the key is to seek mentorship and support. Check out IEEE Women in Engineering (www.ieee.org/web/membership/women/index.html) or Society of Women Engineers (http://societyofwomenengineers.swe.org).

   Engineering is a broad field that has enough work for all types of people. Here are a few examples of successful female engineers from Engineer Girl (www.engineergirl.com):

   • Ada Byron Lovelace helped invent a machine that would eventually lead to the modern computer. She also predicted the development of software and artificial intelligence years before they actually became reality. She even has a computer programming language named after her.
   • Grace Murray Hopper created the first computer compiler that allows programmers today to write their programs using English rather than machine language, making their jobs much easier.
   • Elsa Garmire advanced optical technology, making the commercial use of lasers possible. Thank her the next time you use a CD player or print something using a laser printer.
   • Stephanie Kwolek discovered a solvent that later became used in the production of Kevlar, the key component of bulletproof vests.
   • Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper that is widely used in cars today.

   Read more about women in engineering at www.GraduatingEngineer.com.