| Computer programming degrees have come a long | | | | 4: Colleges and universities are actively seeking |
| way in the last two decades. The typical image of a | | | | women with computer programming degrees to add |
| geek with thick glasses and a pocket protector | | | | to their staff. This gives women another career |
| hunched over a computer keyboard has faded in the | | | | option that also offers flexibility. |
| wake of the incredible boom in computer | | | | 5: Women who become computer programmers |
| programming careers. Today's programmers can be | | | | usually excel in this field. One theory is that their |
| successful members of cutting edge teams, | | | | tendency toward linguistic skills enables them to write |
| independent contractors setting their own hours and | | | | cleaner, simpler code with fewer errors. |
| executives developing new code and languages that | | | | 6: Social skills combined with computer programming |
| sell for millions of dollars to corporations. There is no | | | | skill translate to a quick move up the corporate |
| longer anything typical about being a programmer, | | | | ladder; female programmers may have an edge over |
| except that males still dominate the field. Over eighty | | | | men when it comes to "playing well with others." |
| percent of individuals with a computer programmer | | | | What's Responsible for the Upswing? |
| degree are still men. | | | | Why are more women pursuing computer |
| It's a shame that more women haven't entered the | | | | programming degrees after years of being obviously |
| field, but in the last few years this has begun to | | | | missing? It's impossible to know, but one reason may |
| change. This is a good sign for the industry and for | | | | be that the mystery surrounding this field has simply |
| women. The industry can benefit a great deal from | | | | faded as the demand for talent has grown. The "old |
| the unique perspectives of women, and women with | | | | boys" network is no longer so entrenched in any |
| computer programming degrees can have successful, | | | | professional area and programming is no exception. |
| high-paying careers that will take them places. | | | | Another theory is that the first generation of |
| Why a Woman Should Get A Computer Programming | | | | computer programmers (primarily men) now have |
| Degree | | | | children who are entering college. Many of these male |
| Most young women don't initially consider a computer | | | | programmers have daughters they may be |
| degree when considering an occupation, but this is a | | | | encouraging. These women are more likely to follow |
| mistake. These jobs have several things going for | | | | in the footsteps of their parents, and a generation |
| them that make them perfect for many women: | | | | ago there weren't a lot of role models in the fledgling |
| 1: Most programming positions are in an office | | | | industry for young girls. |
| environment. It's a professional job with few physical | | | | Whatever the reasons, computer experts are happy |
| demands and, for the most part, regular hours. | | | | to note that after a twenty-year reduction in the |
| 2: There is flexibility for women with families. Many of | | | | number of women in the profession, female |
| today's programmers work for themselves as | | | | enrollment in computer programming courses is on |
| independent contractors, so a woman can work | | | | the upswing. They hope that more women will |
| full-time or part-time depending on her family's needs. | | | | pursue computer programming degrees in the coming |
| 3: The salary for programmers typically begins in the | | | | years. |
| $40,000 range and can reach the six figures. | | | | |