What are the challenges faced by female engineering students?

[Astronuc]

I am unsure which on to do. I like the idea of nursing and engineering. I am also looking at which one will get me a job the fastest and easiest. I heard engineering is a lot of work. My mother's a nurse so that is kind of encouraging me to go for nursing. I just need to know the pros and cons of each.

Do what you enjoy.

If one wants to studying engineering, then go for it. One should study engineering, because one wants to do so, not because someone else thinks one should.

Math, science and engineering require a lot of work. Actually, competence and mastery in any subject requires effort. To be a competent nurse takes effort.

Their were two women in my nuclear engineering program and others in health physics. All of us students in the program encouraged each other. None of us tolerated sexist nonsense.

I am unsure which on to do. I like the idea of nursing and engineering. I am also looking at which one will get me a job the fastest and easiest. I heard engineering is a lot of work. My mother's a nurse so that is kind of encouraging me to go for nursing. I just need to know the pros and cons of each.

Then consider perhaps, bioengineering.

 

[rootX]

You need to fix your weak character* and I believe engineering would be best for that!

*you cannot live your whole life making decisions based on what's more comfortable.

I fear coming across mean male classmates who will always say sexist comments about me.

Learn to fight

 

[sweetpotato]

As a female electrical engineer I thought I'd a few words. I graduated with a BS this spring and the only sexism/uncomfortable comments I had to deal with were from a few female non-engineering students (they basically thought I was weird) and from an elderly and conservative male professor who was known for being mean to both male and female students (basically he made a sexist joke in class, which I would have tolerated from a student but coming from a professor I found it inappropriate). I ended up getting a good grade in his class, though.


I don't think you should make your decision on nursing vs. engineering based on the ratio of women in the field, but based on what you think you would enjoy doing for the rest of your life- nursing or engineering.

If it's very important to you to work in a field that has a higher ratio of women, study bioengineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, or environmental engineering. For some reason, the amount of women in these fields are higher than in other engineering fields such as electrical or mechanical. Honestly, when I was in college I didn't mind the scarcity of women in my major, but at my current job, when I'm the only female engineer, I often feel that my coworkers are somewhat uncomfortable dealing with me (they seem to be particularly polite when talking to me, and prefer to direct questions to my male colleague even if I am the one who is more likely to know the answer).

My point is that I think you have a valid concern, but it doesn't justify abandoning the idea of studying engineering if that's what you would truly enjoy. I, for one, have no plans to change careers in the future.

 

[HeLiXe]

I like math and science. I am good at math. I really would like to study engineering. My only problem is if I face sexism. I must admit I am very sensitive. I fear coming across mean male classmates who will always say sexist comments about me. If you were/was an engineering student, did you see any of your female classmates getting attacked by sexist comments?

You may encounter it, but do not let it stop you from doing what you love.

 

[nocturne-e]

As one of two girls in the entire school taking AP physics C this past year, I faced probably - actually, most definitely - what would be considered sexual harassment from some of my male peers. I probably should have stuck up for myself more, but I knew that in most cases they were just trolling and didn't get too offended by what was said to me. I was an easy target, but when they were close to failing and I was making solid As, my grades spoke for themselves.

The most.. interesting.. experience I had during that class was when the guy sitting next to me asked me out in front of about two whole rows of other guys. When they say, "do you want to help me study" and then mention, "at a nice restaurant" or "alone," be careful. Just sayin'BUT, that was high school and I doubt I will have any problems like this when I go to college in the fall. I am thankful that I was exposed to this in some ways because now I know what to look out for. Just try not to take things personally that aren't meant to be personal - but be ready to stand up for yourself when things are said that are out of line or make you feel uncomfortable.

 

[turbo]

@OP, do you think that you can handle the emotional demands of nursing? You can spend weeks and weeks calculating the water demands for a cooling system with no emotional baggage. If you have to spend that same time caring for some patients (some of which may be terminally ill), I'd bet that you'd be carrying home some emotional baggage after every shift.

 

[Lsos]

Hahahahaha! I'm just a little paranoid. Let's just say high school years were hell for me and some of that is still with me. I am contemplating nursing as well which is another problem. I don't know which one to choose.

From my experience, high school and college are night/ day difference. People seem to be more liberal and accepting in college...or they basically don't care as much.

Because of this, a lot of...um, "interesting" people come out of the closet in college...crazy colored hairstyles, vampire people, etc. Some of them would make Lady Gaga blush. If they can handle it, being a woman engineer should be a walk in the park.

That, and quite honeslty you probably WILL be one of a small percentage of girls in the school. Just becasue of that fact you should ideally receive more positive attention than otherwise.

I didn't have many women in my engineering classes. One...maybe two. But I don't recall her being harassed. One of my engineering professors was also a woman...

 

[blade123]

If the threat of sexism worries you, it worries you and there's nothing you can do about it. However, although you can't control how you feel, you can control how you ACT. Don't let your transient emotions deter you from entering a degree that you'd enjoy.


Just like a woman, getting all emotional over nothing...

Spoiler

Kidding, of course... :p

 

[mege]

My mother is a civil engineer. Because of the job market flux, near Detroit, she is doing road/bridge construction inspection to bide time until retirement - but she never has any issues with the guys. It may be different because she has 30 years experience and knows enough people, but she's succeeded across all that time.

I think you may have more of an issue with nursing because of the heirarchy that is everpresent in nursing with MDs above and MAs below. While a male Doctor may not mean to offend your gender, the role in which you are taking as a nurse may cause more 'incident'. Also, patients may be more demeaning than perpetual, professional coworkers in an engineering environment.

Of course you should do what feels right, but if you're to the point of flipping a coin over it, I would suggest going the engineering route.

 

[Tosh5457]

I thought this topic would be about a guy who wanted to become a "female engineering" student

 

[n1person]

I think to some extent there is a degree of reverse sexism and affirmative action towards females in engineering. When applying for a program (or a job) in Engineering or other STEM fields, diversity is desired, so often times if all other things being equal, the female will have a slight edge in getting into the program or job. Obviously this effect is rather small and getting smaller every year as more females are going into STEM fields.

 

[morninglover1]

sexist comments no. its not like we're in the 60s..
my mom is a chemical engineer..i never knew how difficult it was until i got into college. of course being engineer for me, aint going to happen as i am too dumb.

i was in an assembly class once and i was the only female there. i had to drop the class. not for any reason but the teacher didnt want me there as it wasnt part of my prospectus (i really wanted to join though i was interested in it).

as for asking what's better engineering or nursing. are you kidding ..

im a nurse, and it really depends if youre "made" for this. this is a lot of work..and i mean labor intensive. graveyard shifts, etc.

i need to warn you of the people you need to work with, they are like no other. it makes me mad just thinking about it. everyone is snappy. the whole environment is toxic.

the pay is just the same. look it up. engineers sit there and do stuff and get paid the same..and nurses need to clean bedpans, mucus, be elbow deep in blood, secretions..one mistake and you can get fired. i was in deep trouble for writing on the wrong chart. and i mean deep sh$%..


money isn't everything. if i had the brains i'd be an engineer instead :)