Parents as Influencers

1. Parents as Influencers Global Marathon For, By, and About Women in Engineering March 22, 2007, 9PM Eastern

2. Agenda Introductions Parents as Influencers School Guidance Engineering Careers How SWE can help

3. Introductions Allison Pedersen Senior Engineer at Goodrich Corporation National SWE Career Guidance Chair allison.pedersen@swe.org

4. Society of Women Engineers The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), founded in 1950, is a not-for-profit educational and service organization. SWE is the driving force that establishes engineering as a highly desirable career aspiration for women. SWE empowers women to succeed and advance in those aspirations and be recognized for their life-changing contributions and achievements as engineers and leaders.

5. Parents as Influencers Several nation-wide studies conducted by NSF, Sloan Foundation, & National Student Engagement Study say: Mom or Dad are consistently rated as the top two Family influences are the dominant explanation behind college choices and degree plans

6. Encouraging girls interest Build your daughter's technological mastery and competence by finding a way for her to use a computer regularly; and by sending her to computer camp in the summer, especially after fourth grade. If she shows an interest in technical things, buy her a subscription to Popular Mechanics or a computer magazine. Don't assume that she is not interested in technical things. Encourage your daughter to take advantage of volunteer opportunities, internships, and work-study programs, especially in her areas of interest. Extracurricular activities add dimension. Support your daughter's interests and participation in extracurricular activities. Sports, clubs, field trips, etc. allow students to find new interests, take on new responsibilities, learn leadership, be part of a team effort, and build a resume.

7. Don�t Stress About High School Courses Basic 4 years of Math and Science AP courses and Honors courses should not be pushed Don�t over-emphasize grades Better to be in band, play softball, & volunteer than graduate with credit in 4 AP courses

8. Your Role: Supporting Collegiate Academic Decisions Reasonable Course Load Progress that is steady It may take more than four years for an engineering degree Dropping Classes is normal Grades may be low in the beginning and go up in 3rd and 4th years (even for C students)

9. Why are girls not considering Engineering as a career choice? We know the issue is not one of ability or preparation. Researchers Huang, Taddese, and Walter found that girls are taking high school science and math courses at approximately the same rate as boys: 94% of girls and 91% of boys take biology, 64% of girls and 57% of boys take chemistry, 26% of girls and 32% of boys take physics, 64% of girls and 60% of boys take algebra II. We believe that the problem is one of perception. Girls and the people who influence them�teachers, school counselors, parents, peers, and the media�do not understand what a career in engineering looks like and therefore don�t consider it as a career option.

10. Engineering Statistics 5% of US college students are studying engineering� Compared to: 10-12% of college students in Europe 43% of college students in China Statistics from Dr. William A. Wulf President, National Academy of Engineering

11. Engineering Trends Current trends in research investment and workforce development are early warning signs that the United States could fall behind other nations, both in its capacity for technological innovation and in the size, quality, and capability of its technical workforce. Unless the United States maintains its resident capacity for technological innovation, as well as its ability to attract the best and brightest engineers and scientists from abroad, the economic benefits of technological advances may not accrue to Americans.

12. Career Choice and Life Style Women in non-traditional careers have lifetime earnings that are 150% of women who choose traditional careers Women are nine times as likely as men to be single parents What will your daughter do if she is the sole-provider for your grandchildren ?

13. An Engineering Degree Opens Doors There are plenty of jobs, options galore (if you don�t like your job, you can find another) Engineers make huge contributions to society (roads, airplanes, medical devices, TVs, food) An engineering degree gives the competitive edge: MBA, medicine, law, anything! Women Engineers move quickly into management positions The engineering work environment wants and welcomes women

14. How SWE can Help Teach students that math and science is fun through hands on activities Role models Information on engineering and colleges Scholarships SWE website � www.swe.org

15. How SWE can Help: Collegiate Sections Mentoring and connection with professional engineers Engineering Deans value SWE college women Access to tutoring, study teams Leadership experiences Networking for internships Social Activities and friendships

16. SWE Upcoming Career Guidance Events Wow! That�s Engineering! Atlanta � April, 2007 Minneapolis � June, 2007 University of California � Riverside � Fall 2007 Local Events Visit www.swe.org Find the SWE section in your area