A new survey into schoolgirl attitudes to computing and IT as a career option indicates that budding female enthusiasm is still being dampened through the technology’s popular image as a skills set for mundane “office” or “secretarial” work.
New results from a British Computer Survey into the attitudes of teenage girls towards a career in IT reveal that in spite of nearly 50 percent of respondents appreciating its potential for further study or career option, a large number of schoolgirls still associate computing with office or secretarial work. Dr Sue Black, a computer science academic who heads up the BCS Women Group, expressed concerns with the results: “Careers advisors and the IT profession itself are clearly failing to engage girls with a more exciting vision of IT as a rewarding and varied career option.”
The survey, aimed at establishing the attitudes of teenage girls aged 13-17 towards the study and pursuit of a career in IT, found that 27% of respondents would consider a career in IT. In addition, 65% found ICT school lessons enjoyable. These are clearly encouraging findings and suggest a curiosity and interest which challenges traditional attitudes. This is coupled with the fact that 40% of those questioned use computers for games; a sector commonly associated with boys.
However, when asked to state the types of activity they thought a career in IT involves, the survey yielded a vast range of responses with general “office work” and “secretarial work” both attracting the highest number of responses at 17% each. The figures suggest a lack of understanding of the variety of IT career options available, perhaps a consequence of inadequate careers advice or shortage of female roles in the IT sector.
However, Dr Black is cautiously encouraged by the survey which also shows an emerging positive trend in female attitudes towards IT: “For many years the IT profession has been dogged by an image of being predominantly male. I am confident that with greater persuasion, positive career guidance, together with better focus from the IT profession itself, young women could now overturn this”.
Editor’s Notes:
The survey was commissioned by the BCS and conducted by CAPI KIDS at TNS, one of the world's leading market information companies. A total of 273 interviews were conducted face-to-face in England, Wales and Scotland during the period 5 April – 3 May 2005.
To see a PDF of the survey results, follow the link: www.bcs.org/survey/report/girlsandIT
For further information contact:
Keith Mclaren
Deputy PR Manager and Press Officer
The British Computer Society
Tel: 01793 417637
Email: keith.mclaren@hq.bcs.org.uk
Christopher Webb
Press Officer
The British Computer Society
Tel: 01793 417606
Email: press@hq.bcs.org.uk
