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The Current State of Women in Computer Science
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects computer science research jobs will grow 19% by 2026. Yet, women only earn 18% of computer science bachelor's degrees in the United States. Despite the high job demand, computer science remains a male-dominated field in the United States. In response, many top colleges are making efforts to recruit female computer science students, making it an ideal time for women to pursue computer science degrees.
The computer science field has been trying to appeal more to female employees by moving toward longer maternity leave and better work-life balance for working moms. However, efforts to attract women to tech-related careers need to begin in elementary school. On this page, you can learn more about why women aren't choosing tech careers and what can be done to change that.
Why Aren't More Women Involved in Computer Science?
Starting when computer technology first emerged during World War II and continuing into the 1960s, women made up most of the computing workforce. By 1970, however, women only accounted for 13.6% of bachelor's in computer science graduates. In 1984 that number rose to 37%, but it has since declined to 18% — around the same time personal computers started showing up in homes. According to NPR, personal computers were marketed almost exclusively to men and families were more likely to buy computers for boys than girls.
Computers are now commonplace, especially in classrooms. While it's hard to pinpoint a single reason for the lack of female computer science majors, researchers are finding that introductory computer science courses play a big role in discouraging women from majoring in computer science. Luckily, organizations like Building, Recruiting, and Inclusion for Diversity (BRAID) are researching ways to attract and support female CS students. Currently, 15 colleges partner with BRAID to create gender-inclusive learning environments.
The percentage of women working in computer science-related professions has declined since the 1990s, dropping from 35% to 26% between 1990 and 2013. According to the American Association of University Women, we can reverse this trend by removing negative connotations around women in computer science. Educators and parents must work together to help girls maintain their confidence and curiosity in STEM subjects. Professional women already in the field can become mentors, while men can help create a more inclusive workplace.
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Why Should Women Want to Work in Computer Science?
Due to the marketing strategies of the last three decades, many women have developed misconceptions about computer science. While the notion of the geek coder is alive and well, many young women are unaware of the myriad jobs and opportunities available in tech.
The University of California at Berkeley experienced a revolution in their introductory computer science classes after changing how they marketed the course. What used to be known as introduction to symbolic programming is now called the beauty and the joy of computing. As a result, in 2014 women outnumbered men in the class for the very first time.
According to the American Association of University Women, computer science has one of the smallest pay gaps between male and female professionals, with women earning 94% of what men earn.
Discrepancies in overall male-to-female pay rates have remained stalled for the last decade, and women are greatly underrepresented in computer science fields. Only 20% of computer science professionals are women.
Increasing the inclusion of women is a sound business strategy. A study by Deloitte found that women's choices account for up to 85% of buying decisions nationwide, and that diversity drives innovation. Though it is still commonplace to find boards and project teams without a female member, the integration of female perspectives will naturally lead to higher revenues and a better understanding of consumer marketplaces.
What are Some Other Reasons for Women to Consider Entering the Tech Field?
In addition to the reasons mentioned above, many tech and computer science companies are at the forefront of progressive workplace policies. Some of the most innovative tech company benefits are included below.
Work/Life Balance
In a report by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, researchers found that women working in tech companies — particularly start-ups — are much more likely to have a healthy work-life balance. Many tech companies support non-traditional work procedures, including videoconferencing and working from home. Furthermore, many of these companies offer flexible hours, allowing employees to work around their personal schedules to complete projects.
Maternity Leave and Childcare
While the average length of maternity leave in America for salaried employees is six weeks, many technology companies provide substantial paid-leave policies for new parents. Some of the best examples of parental leave policies as included below.
Facebook continually strives toward creating a better work environment for its employees. Facebook allows employees six weeks of paid leave to care for sick children and family members, which benefits women because they are often the ones who take on this role. Facebook also offers four months of paid maternity leave.
Apple
Apple also offers excellent maternity benefits, including 18 weeks of paid maternity leave and nine weeks of unpaid maternity leave. This is higher than the industry average, which is 11 weeks of paid maternity leave and nine weeks of unpaid maternity leave.
It is no secret that Google is a trendsetter in the tech community. When it comes to paid maternity leave, they set the bar high. Google offers mothers 22 weeks of paid maternity leave. Parents also receive a cash gift after having a child.
SAS
SAS offers benefits for both birth and adoptive mothers. SAS employees receive 12 weeks of paid maternity leave and eight weeks of paid adoption leave. SAS believes in providing mothers with time to bond with new children.
What Can be Done?
Now that historical misconceptions have been overturned, it's time to think about how to get more women involved in computer science and foster a lifelong passion for computer science in young girls.Top Online Programs
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Getting Started: How Do We Get Young Women Interested in CS?
With the number of women studying computer science near an all-time low, it's clear that we need to take action, and early childhood education is the root of the problem. According to recent coverage from The Journal, two-thirds of elementary-aged children indicate an interest in science; however, as they enter middle school, the percentage of interested girls falls dramatically. By high school, many girls who previously took advanced scientific courses drop them.
Reasons for the Decline of Girls Studying Computer Science
The above statistics are corroborated in an extended report from Florida Gulf Coast University and The University of Colorado, which theorizes reasons for the drop in female interest. In secondary school, less emphasis is placed on developing computer science skills in girls compared to boys. As a result, women who study STEM-related topics in college often lag behind male counterparts. Furthermore, female students lack role models, as most leaders in the field are men. Historically, scientific fields have catered to men.
While the geek-programmer stereotype has become less popular, there is still a belief that STEM-related professions are narrow, impersonal, and unsuited for those who wish to work on a human level. In reality, computer science careers touch every part of modern human life, and many computer science positions require interpersonal skills.
Ways to Increase Girls' Interest in Computer Science
Beginning in the mid-1980s, the number of women studying computer science and similar fields fell into decline. In recent years, this number has leveled off between 14% and 18%, establishing a baseline against which to measure new educational initiatives. Some of the ways educators and parents can work to increase girls' interest in computer science and STEM-related subjects are addressed below.
1. Create an Equal Learning Environment
While boys tend to be more verbal in class, it's up to educators to engage female students and bring them into class discussions. This will increase girls' interest in the subject matter and better prepare them for college-level courses in computer science.
2. Enact Mentorship Programs
Girls entering the field of computer science are likely to face more resistance than in subject areas more heavily populated by females. Adults can bolster their resolve by providing examples of strong, successful females thriving in their careers. Whether by creating a mentorship program at the secondary or postsecondary level, bringing in speakers, or using female leaders as case studies, educators and parents can instill confidence in girls who pursue careers in historically male-dominated fields.
3. Redefine the Field
As discussed in the previous section, the number of women in computer science and related degrees dropped sharply in the 1980s in response to male-focused marketing for home computers. In the interim years, women have shifted to subjects typically classified under humanities or liberal arts, as explained by Forbes.
A June 2015 Newsweek report featured Harvey Mudd College's efforts to counter this trend. Rather than pure programming, its introductory computer science course has been reworked to focus on creative problem solving and opportunities within the field. The school also made classes less intimidating by splitting the course into two sections based on incoming students' prior programming experience. Within four years, the computer science program's female student rates rose from 10% to 40%, where they plateaued.
Harvey Mudd is one of several top computer science colleges for women, focused on improving gender balance in the major.
4. Make It Approachable
As the push to encourage more girls' to work in computer science gains momentum, a number of programs have been created to help foster interest. Some of the most innovative include:
Whether operating at the middle school, high school, or collegiate level, these groups can be pivotal in encouraging and sustaining girls' pursuit of computer science careers.
Other Opportunities for Engagement
Outside of the organizations mentioned above, there are a number of other initiatives to engage girls in computer science. Whether it's a competition, summer camp, science fair, massive open online course (MOOC), or government program, the resources below help parents and educators think outside the box when encouraging girls in scientific pursuits.Competitions and Summer Camps Focused on Computer Science
ProjectCSGirls
This organization hosts a computer science and technology competition in which middle school girls develop a project to solve a social problem, and includes a project mentor.
Technovation
This global technology program emphasizes entrepreneurship. Girls in middle school, high school, or college can compete to create and launch a mobile app during a three-month curriculum. Students are matched with female mentors and get to present their apps to investors via YouTube. Finalists pitch their ideas in Silicon Valley.
Tech Trek
This experiential summer camp created by the American Association of University Women is for middle school girls. The program seeks to make STEM topics both interesting and accessible during the developmental period, where research shows that girls' interest in these subjects tends to drop the most.
Carnegie Science Center
The Chevron Center for STEM Education and Career Development hosts a number of programs aimed at encouraging girls to pursue STEM topics, including:
Tour Your Future: A career exploration program for girls aged 11-17 that seeks to show girls the many diverse STEM careers available.
CanTEEN: A resource encouraging girls to consider STEM careers via gaming and online activities.
Click! Spy School: Developed for girls aged 10-14 to engage them in solving mysteries and completing missions with key STEM concepts.
GirlStart Summer Camp
This weeklong summer camp is designed to help girls see that STEM subjects can be fun and meaningful, starting at a young age.
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in Computer Science
According to a 2013 article from Huffington Post, one of the primary challenges facing STEM is engaging students. Since careers in these industries are not well publicized, students have preconceived notions about the type of work available to computer science graduates. A great way to learn about computer science career options is through MOOCs, which are free, abbreviated online courses that provide introductory curriculum materials to students across the world.
High schools often take advantage of these courses, especially in areas where there are few teachers available. Teachers hope that familiarizing high school students with computer science will encourage them to pursue it in postsecondary programs and careers.
Some of the most interesting computer science MOOCs available include:
Government Programs Focused on CS
The U.S. government has enacted initiatives at local, state, and federal levels to engage girls and young women in STEM-related topics, including computer science. Many states have also created initiatives to engage local middle and high school girls. Some of these innovative programs are listed below.
TechGirls
Organized by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this international summer exchange program brings girls from the Middle East and North Africa to America, encouraging them to pursue careers in science and technology.
STEM Utah
This statewide initiative aims to encourage girls' interest in STEM topics. The website features an online library, contests, and resources for students, parents, educators, and industry professionals.
NASA Girl Scout Partnership
More than 66% of all astronauts have been involved in scouting, including 27 girl scouts. The administration maintains strong ties with the scouting community and offers varied initiatives to encourage scouts to pursue STEM careers.
Mentoring Programs for Girls in Computer Science
In a 2014 report by STEMConnector, researchers found that 20% of high school girls considering a STEM degree want to learn more about mentorship opportunities and motivational programs, while nearly 40% of women pursuing a scientific degree have a mentor. A 2010 report from the American Association of University women verified those numbers, noting that mentorship is an important tool for instilling confidence in girls pursuing STEM-related fields.
Below is a review of American colleges with the highest percentages of women computer science graduates and takes a deeper look at how their programs attract and retain female students. Parents, educators or students seeking mentorship programs for computer science education or careers can check out the following pioneering initiatives:
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The 20 Schools With the Most Women Computer Science Graduates
MethodologyThese school rankings are based off the latest data pulled from the Institute of Education Sciences regarding male and female graduates of computer science programs. Only four-year programs were included in the list, and schools with fewer than 50 computer science graduates were removed. We then compared graduation rates for female students in each program with national averages to determine program rankings.
