The effect of required cooperative education (co-op) on the pursuit of an undergraduate engineering degree for female students.

摘要

Female enrollment in engineering has been historically low. Researchers claim chilly classroom environments and societal expectations of gender and work as reasons why so few women pursue engineering. This qualitative study explores the effects of required cooperative education on a female student's choice of and persistence in an undergraduate engineering program in the context of gender bias, socio-cultural norms regarding appropriate fields of study for women, and the social reality of a chilly environment for female engineering students. Four themes emerged from the data: (a) the role of co-op in choice of major and in retention, (b) the role of external support in choice of major and in retention, (c) the role of the social construction of gender, chilly environment, sexual harassment, and generational differences, and (d) the role of relationships. This research suggests we need to educate young women, parents, counselors, and teachers about opportunities for women in engineering.