Heather Haley wishes women would be more open to Computer Sciences
Heather's first academic option was not always computer sciences. After trying mass communications she realized that she was most interested in the computer science end of communications. Now she is a junior at CS Department and also studies Accounting as a minor.
Influences
Heather is convinced she found the most suitable field for her and she does not get easily intimidated by the sometimes overwhelming number of men in Computer Sciences. She gets her strength from a few women of importance in her life. The influences Heather had coming from the family were first her grandmother, and then her step-mother, who have both been working in the field of computer sciences within the Government. With such influences at home Heather never thought of Computer Sciences as a male-dominated field.
Another role model and mentor for Heather is Professor Kellie Price. After having her for Computer Programming class, Heather says: "she is not only professional and capable in class, but also very friendly and always willing to help." Heather considers that capable female faculty, like Ms. Price, should be promoted more within the department as examples of success and advocates of computer sciences among women of all ages. Heather feels that "it is good to have a woman to woman intellectual connection with Ms. Price."
Young women in Computer Science
Heather had at least two classes in her first year where she was the only female out of 25 to 30 students. She expresses her astonishment that girls do not even give a try at this field at least for the first year, and are not interested in learning about it. In her opinion girls should not avoid computer sciences just because society tries to outline it as a male-dominated field. Instead, they should be open towards anything that might spark their interest, which could maybe even shape into their future career.
Heather believes that this lack of interest is because girls are socialized from early age to look for other fields than computer sciences or math. They are not encouraged either at home or at school to go into these fields and that has devastating results for women's freedom of choice of future careers.
Gender division in class
Heather never felt singled out or segregated from the entire class just because she is a girl and, as she recollects: "I never thought of it that way." Although she does not see professors making any gender discriminations, Heather believes that it is possible girls are not singled out and treated differently because they are almost invisible in class due to their small numbers.
Ms. Haley also notices a disturbing fact every day she comes to school. The CS Department shares the same building with the Nursing Department, so "if you see a woman going in, it's going to be a Nursing student, while if you see a man going in you know he's going to CS Department." However she is sure that in the near future more and more young women will be open to this field, as perceptions change constantly in society.
Dreams for the future
Because she is aware of the gender inequities that still exist in society today, Heather has the ambition to graduate with a double major from ETSU, both in Computer Sciences and in Accounting, to have more chances to get a good job. "I believe that with this advantage there will be more opportunities for me as a woman once I get out of school and start working". Yet, she is worried that because there are so few women present in this field, employers will simply be unfamiliar with their presence and would reject them based on their gender. This is one other reason why Heather wishes there were more women in Computer Sciences.
— Article by Monica Nastase of the Emerging Technology Center (ETC)
