Evaluating Progress in Gender Equity in Careers for Women in Science and Technology: The Impact of Role Modeling on Women 's Career Choices

Abstract

Women are still not equally represented in many careers in technology and science. Young women possess equal abilities in scientific skills in the elementary schools, but their enrollment in science related classes diminishes as they enter high school and college. This creates an accumulated disadvantage which deters success in science and technology classes in college and graduate school. Sex role stereotyping and negative teacher behaviors affect young women's attitudes about potential for success in careers that have been stereotyped as masculine. On the other hand, role modeling has been found to be an important means to encourage young women to choose careers in technology and science. The intention of this study was to identify, by using the WWW, women who are currently employed in technology related careers, or training for employment in technology related careers, and to identify the effects of role models on their career choices and career persistence. A Professional Women's Directory was located using a web search, and women who indicated technology as a part of their profession were identified. The Role Model survey developed by Smith in 1983 was modified for this group, and sent by E-mail to a randomly selected subset of the total list of women in technology. This report summarizes the results of the responses to that survey, and suggests some implications for teacher and scientific professionals planning and instruction.