ERIC Number: ED442960
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 2000-Apr
Pages: 38
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Perspectives from the Field: The Socialization of Females with Regard to a Technology-Related Career.
Smith, Lola B.
Despite the continuing expansion of high-tech job opportunities, the literature indicates that many women are still socialized away from technology careers. The experiences of 12 women who have taken technological career paths and excelled in their fields were examined to identify factors that might have contributed to their excellence. The 12 women were "purposefully" selected to include 6 "guides" (college-level teachers and women who have achieved managerial and/or artistic status in high-tech industries) and 6 "pathtakers" (graduate students in technological fields). During in-depth interviews, the women attributed their success in a mathematical, scientific, or technological (MST) profession to the following factors: awareness of and interest in technical fields; encouragement of self-esteem; and encouragement of cognitive growth. It was recommended that parents and educators encourage females to pursue MST careers by taking the initiative to be proactive in helping girls understand from early childhood that women have a place in MST careers. Parents and educators can also work to change the negative perception of MST professionals as cold, nonnurturing people. Activities promoting development of the following skills and behaviors can be infused into girls' learning and play: critical thinking, reflective thinking, teamwork, question asking, and risk taking. (Contains 81 references.) (MN)
Descriptors: Attitude Change, Career Development, Career Education, Case Studies, Change Strategies, College Faculty, Cultural Influences, Education Work Relationship, Educational Attitudes, Educational Needs, Elementary Secondary Education, Employed Women, Enrollment Influences, Graduate Students, Higher Education, Literature Reviews, Needs Assessment, Nontraditional Occupations, Parent Role, Performance Factors, Postsecondary Education, Social Influences, Socialization, Success, Teacher Role, Technical Education, Technical Occupations, Womens Education, Work Attitudes
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association (New Orleans, LA, April 24-28, 2000).