ACTIVELY RECRUIT MORE AND DIVERSE STUDENTS J. McGrath Cohoon NCWIT UVA Because computing occupations are too good and too important to ignore

WHAT IS WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION IN YOUR AP CS CLASS?

STEREOTYPES ABOUT GENDER AND COMPUTING ARE A ROOT CAUSE Actively work against their effects

EFFECTIVE PRACTICES Actively recruit using messages that reach, inform, and appeal to females Use pedagogies that spark interest and build peer support Personally encourage Mentor Explain that effort increases ability

FOCUS FOR THIS TALK Actively recruit using messages that reach, inform, and appeal to female students

REACH STUDENTS WITH YOUR MESSAGE Target those able to succeed in your course Personal conversations Visible, attention-getting

USEFUL MESSAGES FOR RECRUITING WOMEN & MINORITY MEN

APPEAL TO CURRENT INTERESTS AND CONCERNS Belonging, with potential to have status in the group  Recruit groups instead of individuals Role fulfillment - conforming to expectations  Computing is social, helps people, helps the nation, lets you give back to your community

HELP THEM SEE THEY’LL SUCCEED WITH HARD WORK Interest Expected positive outcome Achievement activity choices Expectation of success is crucial

WHICH MESSAGES DEPENDS IN PART ON CULTURE Flexibility: industry, geographic Social relevance Work with others Time with family Job projections High salaries

GREAT CAREER! BEST JOBS IN AMERICA Software Engineer 2.Mathematician 3.Actuary 4.Statistician 5.Computer Systems Analyst According to CareerCast

THREE OF THE TOP TEN OCCUPATIONS ARE COMPUTING Systems Engineer IT Project Manager Network Security Consultant Manage large complex projects Plan, organize, and oversee the team on a computing project Protect important computer systems from infiltration Source: CNNMoney.com, Best Jobs in America, 2011

WOMEN’S JOB SATISFACTION IS HIGH Source: Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data NSF.gov

COMPUTING OFFERS EXCITING WORK THAT AFFECTS OUR WORLD AND THE PEOPLE IN IT Create technology for Tracking endangered dolphins Mobile forensics labs for instant analysis at crime scenes GPS systems that guide blind people Scanning DNA for childhood diseases Designing and displaying new fashions Source: dotdiva.org

COMPUTER SCIENTISTS GIVE BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES Lisa Rau founded Confluence as a technical resource to the nonprofit sector. She serves on boards and encourages a spirit of volunteerism.

COMPUTER SCIENTISTS WORK IN EVERY INDUSTRY 17 Source: dotdiva.org

EXCELLENT JOB OPPORTUNITY EXPECTED Source: BLS Occupational Employment Projections to 2020

COMPUTING OFFERS MORE JOBS THAN OTHER SCI & ENGR FIELDS Employment in Major Occupational Groups Projected for 2020, in thousands Source: BLS – Employment Projections to 2020

COMPUTING OCCUPATIONS ARE WELL PAID Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

TAKE CARE WHAT YOU COMMUNICATE Beware of communicating or reinforcing stereotypes Avoid comparisons with other groups e.g., girls v. boys Do not perpetuate stereotypes by repeating them Refrain from implying only geniuses succeed in CS Do many young women want to turn into Dilbert???

MESSAGES EMBEDDED IN ACTIVITIES, MESSENGER, IMAGES E.g., Robots »Fun and competition v. saving lives E.g., Young women talking to girls »Greater sense of “possible self” »Greater chance that language choices and understanding will be similar E.g., Photos on posters »Things rather than people »Teams that are mostly boys

PARENTS RANKING OF HOPES FOR KIDS Sons Persevere to meet future family responsibilities Daughters Be happy in career choice

REMEMBER TO TRACK AND REPORT YOUR OUTCOMES Finally

PLAN ONE RECRUITMENT MESSAGE AND DELIVERY STRATEGY Form groups of 4 Take 10 minutes to brainstorm and choose one idea Report

QUESTIONS?