Young women in science and technology: the importance of choice

Abstract

Despite significant improvements in the last couple of years, women are still under-represented in science and technology, both in the academic and private sector. This is due to a variety of reasons, mostly related to the role allocated to women in modern society as well as pre-existing prejudices that form glass ceilings while encouraging male presence in the workplace. It is also however, a result of information or lack of, which places young women in difficult position of making a career choice, with little knowledge of available possibilities. What seems to be missing are good role models that could act as inspiration and source of information and guidance, and offer a glimpse into the reality of being a female employed in the field of science and/or technology. Parents, teachers, and career guidance counselors all have a significant role in assisting or hindering the way young women chose their career paths and that choice begins early on from school, all the way through to higher education. Choice, essentially, and factors that determine it as well -as ways of encouraging female participation in science and technology -are the focus of the present article, which is based on results from the European project Information for a choice: empowering young women through learning for scientific and technological career paths, realized under the 6th Framework Program. As this article will show, the promotion through the usage of new technologies, of role models, is crucial in breaking the existing stereotype of women in science, engineering and technology. Science is often rejected as a career choice due to limited information available and positive role models to encourage young girls in participating. Career orientation offered at school through the usage of new technologies is an important step in that direction; however, particularly in countries where the family unit is especially influential in career decisions, parents must be brought in and educated on the possibilities available. Mass media also play an important role in introducing and sustaining stereotypical images of women in particular professional roles, thus, any outreach solutions need to include them.

Factors discouraging participation of girls in ICT education

“…Boys, it appears, look towards parents and guardians for insight and guidance towards their future career path. These results differ from Dimitriadi (2013) who suggested that cultural influences are strong especially when related to parental roles.…”

“…Role models contribute to Year 11 girls' decisions about their future career; however, when the ICT industry is lacking in high profile younger role models, it is not surprising that fewer girls want to pursue ICT as a career. This supports findings by Dimitriadi (2013) related to culture, especially for nonwesternised cultures and looking up to family members as role models; however, Perciva (2014) found girls have turned off STEM subjects when pretty young females were roles model. This could indicate a difference in western culture compared to other cultures.…”

“…The generational influence of family members on children can become the catalyst for the direction they take while at high school. Dimitriadi (2013) observed that family is the main avenue for children to discuss ideas for career choices. Family can be very influential and the desire to follow in the footsteps of one's parents has long been a significant factor in the choice of career.…”

“…Most career paths are chosen early in the student's educational life (Broadley 2015) and the lack of understanding of what is available in the ICT industry could be a factor in putting students, especially girls off ICT opportunities (Dimitriadi 2013). As suggested by Dimitriadi (2013) a reform of the curriculum has to take place to engage students but especially girls in ICT subjects.…”

“…The high school education sector does have issues in recruiting new teaching staff into ICT subjects (Jones et al 2016). However, teachers that take up the challenge are normally Generation Y, as they are more enthusiastic about technology (Dimitriadi 2013).…”