Recruiting Women in Tech Fields Might Be At Crux of US Advantage

Engineers have existed in some form dating back to before the invention of the wheel, and throughout that time men have dominated the field.

Although researchers cannot definitively explain why so few women seek and retain engineering careers, most agree this needs to change.

As the United States faces increasing competition from other countries in technical fields, some experts now say the key to keeping an edge is to tap into the female population as viable resources.

Women now make up more than half of higher education students and represent 47 percent of the workforce, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, only about 11 percent of the engineering workforce is female.

In the late 20th century, great strides were made toward increasing the presence of women in technical careers.

Programs like the Society of Women Engineers and the National Science Foundation-Advance were formed in order to attract more women to the industry, and it had a positive impact. To researchers, the trajectory seemed to indicate a rapid approach to gender equality in engineering.

However, experts now say the upward trend has slowed — possibly stagnated — in recent years, according to a review from the Society of Women Engineers. And there is also an unexplained gap between the number of female engineering students and those in the workforce.

In addition to increasing the breadth of the technical talent pool, the recruitment of more women in engineering might bring a unique, essential perspective to the field.

“We think differently,” said Silke Spiesshoefer, president of SG Integral Technology Inc., an electronic packaging startup in Fayetteville. “To solve a problem, you need all types of people with different backgrounds and different views.”

Electronic packaging involves designing and tweaking the paths systems that make a device work and communicate with other devices. Its aim is to make technology stronger, lighter and faster.

Spiesshoefer holds a Ph.D. in microelectronics, a master’s in electrical engineering and a bachelor’s in chemical engineering, all from the University of Arkansas.

Prior to starting her firm in 2011, she led the advanced technology division of a Maryland government communications company.

She is also an adjunct professor at the UA, teaching advanced electronic packaging to graduate students.

Spiesshoefer noted that throughout her 10-year electrical engineering career, she has often been the only woman on the job.

 

Elusive Cause

There is a lack of agreement among researchers as to the reason for low female representation in engineering. For instance, there are varying views as to whether family responsibilities come into play.

However, one identified problem might be that women regard the field as masculine. 

Spiesshoefer believes there is a misconception about what a career in engineering — and, in particular, specialties like electronic engineering — entails. “It’s not all soldering and hands-on stuff,” she said.

Still, some experts believe the stereotype discourages women from entering the field.

In addition, researchers theorize a lack in confidence in their abilities could prevent female students from attempting an engineering career.

Data from multiple surveys of Michigan Tech engineering students conducted for the American Society for Engineering Education show female students were less likely than males to express confidence in their ability to succeed in engineering classes, even when they had higher GPAs.

And an awareness of a lingering stereotype that girls are less adept at math and science might prevent them from doing their best and might affect how guidance counselors advise students, according to an article in “Sex Roles: A Journal of Research.”

Finally, there is a school of thought that methods by which engineering is taught are not geared toward women. One recommended step is for curriculum designers to look beyond cars and rockets as teaching tools and pay more attention to social impacts, which are more likely to drive a female engineer, according to research.

 

Extending Social Scope

Experts say the key to engaging women is to play to their interests, not only within academic courses, but in recruitment.

According to a Harvard Business Review report titled “The Athena Factor,” female engineers are more interested in “helping humankind,” and learning about the social impacts of technology.

Researchers from the American Society for Engineering Education observed a first-year engineering class that was asked to develop energy-saving solutions and found groups that included female students were much more likely to propose solutions that emphasized conservation, alternative energy sources and reduced usage. In contrast, male-only teams focused on economics and increased efficiency. Spiesshoefer’s experience reflects the findings of the study.

“I want to leave something behind,” she said. “I love to solve problems that benefit people.”

Engineering specialties that are likely perceived as more socially oriented — especially those that lead to careers in medicine and health — have more female participation. In 2011, 21 percent of civil engineering degrees, 29 percent of industrial degrees, 33 percent of chemical degrees and 39 percent of biomedical degrees went to women, according to the American Society for Engineering Education.

That same year, only 12 percent of mechanical engineering degrees, 11 percent of electrical engineering degrees and 11 percent of computer science degrees went to women.

 

A Male Culture

The women who do enter the field must then contend with the predominantly male culture that pervades engineering.

Women in these careers are likely to downplay their femininity, according to “The Athena Factor.”

“You have to act kind of hard,” said Cardia Rolle, Bahamas native and senior in civil engineering at the UA.

Other students, like computer science engineering sophomore Anna Irwin, say they are not treated differently and barely notice the nonexistence of female colleagues.

Spiesshoefer said she has not noticed much difference between how she and her male collaborators have been treated.

“It’s a lot about attitude,” she said. “People could assume because you’re a woman you’re too soft or can’t handle managing a large group.”

She also said this could be an advantage. “On the other hand, colleagues might see you as nicer and easier to work with.”

Other female engineers, however, don’t find their work situation as manageable.

According to “The Athena Factor,” women surveyed in engineering workplaces often describe a “chilly climate” that is hostile to women. Statistics show they are more exposed to lay-off, presumably because they are less likely to be involved in the core activities of the firm and often don’t have a sponsor that will protect them.

To this point, a survey conducted by University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professors of 5,500 female engineers found many women who left the profession did so primarily because of the work climate.

 

Breaking the Stigma

Spiesshoefer believes the tide is turning, and women are breaking free of the stigmas. She points to the fact that, although degree numbers have not reached expert projections, more female engineers are coming up in higher education than ever before.

She believes women who have successfully entered the engineering world should encourage young girls who have interest and potential talent in the field.

“Women need to get out there and give those girls who have doubts some backing. Tell them, ‘You can do this,’ and really explain what it’s about,” she said.

Some researchers say women should embrace differences, showing the benefits feminine traits can offer the industry. “Women are great organizers and great problem-solvers,” Spiesshoefer said.

Spiesshoefer often talks to young women, who are concerned they won’t enjoy their work in engineering.

However, she is quick to tell them that isn’t true. “You can have a good life in engineering,” she said. “It’s always different. It’s always changing … Engineering is everything.”