While the number of women in computer science decreases, there is more we can do to get females in computing fields

The amount of women in computer science is decreasing

In the 1980s, approximately 37 percent of computer science majors were women. By 2012, this number has dropped to around 18 percent, with smaller numbers being reported at many colleges such as the 17 percent of women computer science students at the University of Maryland. Regardless of the fact that women earned 50.4 percent of all STEM field bachelor's degrees in 2011 number of female computer science majors remains around 18 percent. Similar numbers are reported in the work environment with only 26 percent of computing professionals being female as of 2013, compared to 35 percent in 1990.

Getting more women into computer science at a younger age matters

Among middle school age females, there is about a 74 percent interest rate in STEM fields. However, when choosing a major in college, only 0.3 percent of high school girls choose computer science. We need to encourage girls more throughout high school to code and be involved in tech so that more girls major in computer science programs. In addition, there needs to be a more balanced perspective in the development of technology and software so that it may appeal to the masses and not to a male lens.

Female membership in computer science programs can be increased through outreach programs and increased mentoring

At the University of Maryland, The Maryland Center for Women in Computing is working hard to recruit young women into computer science and other computing fields. They reach out to students in local K-12 schools to encourage them to join computer science programs. In addition, UMD has the Association for Women in Computing, or AWC. The AWC provides a space and a community for the women of the computer science department where they may receive support and make connections to further their studies in computer science. Reshma Saujani, CEO and founder of Girls Who Code, claims that its not enough to say that girls can benefit in computer science, we need to show them through mentoring and examples of women in computing fields.

Video Interview Here

Q1: What are some things that you have noticed that schools such as the University of Maryland are doing to encourage women to join programs such as computer science?
Q2: Do you have any suggestions as to what elementary, middle, and high schools could do to increase female membership in computer science programs?