actively recruit more and diverse students j. mcgrath cohoon ncwit uva because computing occupations...

ACTIVELY RECRUIT MORE AND DIVERSE STUDENTS

J. McGrath Cohoon

NCWIT

UVA

Because computing occupations are too good and too important to ignore

WHAT IS WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN YOUR AP CS CLASS?

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

USEFUL MESSAGES FOR RECRUITING WOMEN & MINORITY MEN

APPEAL TO CURRENT INTERESTS AND CONCERNS

Belonging, with potential to have status in the groupRecruit groups instead of individuals

Role fulfillment - conforming to expectationsComputing is social, helps people, helps the nation, lets

you give back to your community

HELP THEM SEE THEY’LL SUCCEED WITH HARD WORK

Interest

Expected positive outcome

Achievement activity choices

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

GREAT CAREER! BEST JOBS IN AMERICA 2011

1. Software Engineer

2. Mathematician

3. Actuary

4. Statistician

5. Computer Systems Analyst

According to CareerCast

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 infiltrationSource: CNNMoney.com, Best Jobs

in America, 2011

WOMEN’S JOB SATISFACTION IS HIGH

CS & math STEM0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

WomenMen

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

17

Source: dotdiva.org

EXCELLENT JOB OPPORTUNITY EXPECTED

Source: BLS Occupational Employment Projections to 2020

Graphic designers

Child, family, and school social workers

Computer programmers

Medical and health services managers

Network and computer systems administrators

Software developers, systems software

Market research analysts and markenting specialists

Software developers, applications

Computer systems analysts

Accountants and auditors

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Occupations with the Most Predicted Job Openings (in thousands) typically requiring a Bachelors De-gree, but no experience or on-the-job training, 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)

Child, family, and school social workers

Accountants and auditors

Network and computer systems administrators

Computer systems analysts

Software developers, applications

$0 $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000

Median Annual Wages, 2010

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

REMEMBER TO TRACK AND REPORT YOUR OUTCOMES

Finally

PLAN ONE RECRUITMENT MESSAGE AND DELIVERY STRATEGY

Form groups of 4

Take 10 minutes to brainstorm and choose one idea

Report

QUESTIONS?