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Actively Recruit More and diverse students. Because computing occupations are too good and too important to ignore. J. McGrath Cohoon NCWIT UVA. What is women’s representation in your AP CS CLASS?. Stereotypes about gender and computing are a root cause.
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Actively Recruit More and diverse students Because computing occupations are too good and too important to ignore J. McGrath Cohoon NCWIT UVA
Stereotypes about gender and computing are a root cause • Actively work against their effects
Effective practices • Actively recruit using messages that reach, inform, and appeal to females • Use pedagogies that spark interest and build peer support • Personally encourage • Mentor • Explain that effort increases ability
Focus for this talk • Actively recruit using messages that reach, inform, and appeal to female students
Reach students with your message • Target those able to succeed in your course • Personal conversations • Visible, attention-getting
Appeal to current interests and concerns Belonging, with potential to have status in the group • Recruit groups instead of individuals Role fulfillment - conforming to expectations • Computing is social, helps people, helps the nation, lets you give back to your community
Help them see they’ll succeed with hard work Expectation of success is crucial
Which Messages depends in part on culture • Flexibility: industry, geographic • Social relevance • Work with others • Time with family • Job projections • High salaries
Software Engineer Mathematician Actuary Statistician Computer Systems Analyst According to CareerCast Great Career! Best Jobs in America 2011
Three of the top ten occupations are computing • Systems Engineer • IT Project Manager • Network Security Consultant Manage large complex projects Plan, organize, and oversee the team on a computing project Protect important computer systems from infiltration Source: CNNMoney.com, Best Jobs in America, 2011
Women’s job satisfaction is high Source: Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System @ NSF.gov
Computing offers exciting work that affects our world and the people in it • Create technology for • Tracking endangered dolphins • Mobile forensics labs for instant analysis at crime scenes • GPS systems that guide blind people • Scanning DNA for childhood diseases • Designing and displaying new fashions Source: dotdiva.org
COMPUTER SCIENTISTS GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES Lisa Rau founded Confluence as a technical resource to the nonprofit sector. She serves on boards and encourages a spirit of volunteerism.
Computer Scientists work in every industry Source: dotdiva.org
Excellent Job Opportunity Expected Source: BLS Occupational Employment Projections to 2020
Computing Offers More Jobs than other Sci & Engr Fields Employment in Major Occupational Groups Projected for 2020, in thousands Source: BLS – Employment Projections to 2020
Computing occupations are well paid Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Take care what you communicate • Beware of communicating or reinforcing stereotypes • Avoid comparisons with other groups • e.g., girls v. boys • Do not perpetuate stereotypes by repeating them • Refrain from implying only geniuses succeed in CS Do many young women want to turn into Dilbert???
Messages Embedded in Activities, Messenger, Images • E.g., Robots • Fun and competition v. saving lives • E.g., Young women talking to girls • Greater sense of “possible self” • Greater chance that language choices and understanding will be similar • E.g., Photos on posters • Things rather than people • Teams that are mostly boys
Parents Ranking of Hopes for Kids • Sons • Persevere to meet future family responsibilities • Daughters • Be happy in career choice
Finally Remember to track and report your outcomes
Plan one recruitment Message and delivery strategy • Form groups of 4 • Take 10 minutes to brainstorm and choose one idea • Report