Girls’ engagement in engineering: Influences, independence and interest

Abstract

Increasing diversity in engineering, which is a goal of the profession, education and government, starts with increasing the diversity of those choosing to study engineering. This paper focuses on girls’ engagement in engineering. Data is from a survey of girls attending a university open day, and interviews with practicing female engineers. The notion of possible selves is used to explain patterns in the responses. Both prospective and participant groups indicated that family, friends, teachers and messages in the environment informed and influenced their view of what engineering involved and who could be an engineer. Practicing female engineers identified the impact of school subject choices, ‘hands-on’ and practical home experiences, and the nature of the lecturer and peer support. The paper contributes to discussions of when and how to encourage girls into engineering, offering evidence that a comprehensive approach is needed that includes the community, schools, tertiary institutions and the profession.