Computer Science: Where the boys are

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Walk into my introductory computer science classroom this fall and you will notice that the guys outnumber the girls. Of the 40 male students, a show of hands indicates that about half have declared majors in computer science, information systems, or information technology. Of the 20 female students, only six have chosen a computing major. Given these numbers, and considering the high dropout rates[1] in introductory computer science classes, it is not surprising that, down the hall, in an upper level Software Engineering class, there are only three female students in a class of 30. These class distributions mirror those of most computer science classrooms across the country (except that male professors usually teach them). In 2014, only 18 percent of computer science undergraduate degrees were awarded to women. I was once the only female student in a class of 29 male students, and believe me it was not as fun as it sounds.

So, why so few girls and women?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that employment in computer occupations will increase by 18 percent from 2012 to 2022, compared to an increase of just 11 percent for all occupations during the same period.[2] In Maryland alone, employment in the Computer Systems Design and Related Services industry grew by 33 percent from 2004 to 2014. Given the urgent demand for technology workers, why are there so few women in computer science? Research in this area indicates several contributing factors. One salient problem is the “geek” culture that pervades computer science; many female students believe that the technology field consists of anti-social men with poor hygiene working in isolation. Second, the discipline has an identity crisis; most K-12 and even college students are unsure about what a computer scientist does, as compared to the more familiar jobs of a doctor or a lawyer. Additionally, studies show that women typically choose professions that promote social good, such as medicine and teaching, and they do not perceive computer science to be such a profession. Finally, all experts agree that computer science has a huge pipeline issue, with the subject barely existing in K-12. Whatever the factors are, they manifest themselves early—girls are deciding in middle school that they are not interested in studying programming.

Women in computer science not only feel outnumbered, they feel underprepared. 

The six female students in my class—those who have defied the odds and selected a computing major—how will they fare? They are surrounded by self-professed tech-savvy men who seem to know more because:

1. they have taken high school technology courses—of the over 37,000 high school students that took the 2014 AP Computer Science A exam, fewer than 7,500 were female;[3] or
2. they are self-taught—research has shown that males are more interested in and consumed by the process of computing, whereas females are more interested in applications of computing;[4]  or
3. they feel more comfortable around computers through video games and/or cyber camps—not surprising, considering that a 2011 survey of almost 700 video games determined that only 4 percent of games had an exclusively female protagonist.[5]

How do we address these issues? Change the culture?

Good idea, but good luck.

Talking to all K-12 students about the career possibilities in computer science is important. Increasing computer science opportunities in high school is even more essential, but these are big undertakings that need both top-down and grass root efforts. I am a proponent of smaller, more precise interventions.

Each fall, and for the past two summers, I have offered an online section of my introductory computer science class to high school girls. This program, SPLASH (Secure Programming Logic Aimed at High School Students), has the following goals: increase the interest and participation of girls in computing subjects, prepare girls for college majors such as computer science and cybersecurity, and introduce girls to secure programming. Since 2012, more than 50 girls have completed the program, which is funded by the National Security Agency, National Science Foundation, and Towson University’s Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, Most have earned A’s, as well as earned four college credits. Many have decided to pursue computer science or cybersecurity as a major or a minor.

The goal: to bring more girls into college computing courses and prepare them so when they walk into the classroom they are better equipped to succeed.

The dream: a computer science classroom where the number of female students is equal to the number of male students and one of the six girls from my fall class is standing in front as a professor.

This article is featured in The Daily Record’s Path To Excellence: A Woman’s Guide To Business. The mission of the Path to Excellence magazine is to give our readers the opportunity to meet successful women of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs and learn how they define success. Read more from Path to Excellence.