:-)
Gender discrimination bump!
As a senior computer science major at a top 5 ranked school in that field, how the hell is there gender discrimination? If there is any discrimination then it started long before college because I had zero girls in my high school programming classes too.
Ask what they mean. Write your own programs in your free time. Stop being a victim.
This is the same woman who wants to know why the "men" got raises and promotions for exceptional innovation while she got 1.5% because she arrived on time daily without Cheetos stains on her fingers.
I'm not in computer science, but I've been in network administration for going on 16 years now. I also consulted for a few years during that 16 years.
I've met hundreds of men in the field, and I'd have to say the bulk of them were competent, at least to some degree.
I've met less than a dozen women in the field, and two of them were competent.
I don't know if my experience is indicative of the rest of the field, or of other areas in the broad computing-related disciplines.
However, my observation has been that in order to be successful in networking and computing, you have to be able to think logically. Sure, you can excel if you have a good memory, have lots of experience, or are very intelligent, but to be minimally competent, you have to be able to think logically.
I just haven't come in contact with many women, both in the field and out, who can or will think logically on a consistent basis when solving problems.
In other fields, this isn't a problem, and in the creative fields, it can probably be a detriment. I've met a lot of very creative women in web design, for example, who can do some amazing things. I've also met some great women who excel in project management and organization - something with which many technical guys are sorely lacking (myself included).
In my narrow area of the field, where supporting critical systems is the bulk of the job, part of the work includes scheduling regular maintenance during off hours, and responding quickly to outages or problems. Most women (in my experience) aren't willing to work these sort of hours, or can't because of family commitments.
Put the two together, and it effectively rules most women out of the field. Its not a question of not being able to do it from an absolute perspective, its a question of not willing to do what it takes to be compentent, and not willing to do what it takes to be available. Its a choice, just like any other, and most women don't seem to want to choose to do what it takes to be a part of the industry.
Just my humble observations.
I've met very few women in the field who are worth anything.
Woman are not stupid.
Why should they train for a career in a field that is being outsourced to china, india and eventually kenya?
:-)
I don't remember any of the teachers 101 classes in any college department wasting time talking about how their topic can impact society. Day one in chemistry started with definitions of molecules, mixtures and compounds. In physics we started with frames of reference and measurement. In electrical engineering we started with discussing voltage and electric current. Computer science started with how computers are organized and how a processor works.
Those who can't, teach.
[theo runs and hides]
I've been finding that the majority of programmers are male, and the majority or project managers are female.
I also believe that "project management" tends to be a work-dodge for the PM, and a good way to "pork" the client for excess billables, but thats just me....and all the other programmers, and the clients too!
"Mr. Udall how do you write Women so well?"
"I think of a man then take away reason and accountability."
ping
let me get this straight... girls don't want to take computer classes, therefore there's a gender gap and discrimination is involved??? can i throw up my breakfast now???Discrimination my fanny! The truth is that any woman who majors in Computer Science will have $$ thrown at her and (if she graduates) her pick of lucarative job opportunties.
There are some many opportunities for women who major in CS it's unbelieveable. Yet, despite these incentives, very few women are willing to take the opportunity. This seems the opposite of the early-mid 80s when a lot of women were gravitating toward CS careers. [The fact that it's a male dominated field would also make it easier for them to meet potential mates.]
Computer science really isn't any tougher than other fields (like Math or Engineering), that have seen increases in female enrollment. It must be the geek label and the sense that jobs are being outsourced. Go figure.
Good! I'm sick of reading articles about professions and academic pursuits where women far outnumber men.
bump