1. Perceptions & Experiences of the Workplace
among Canadian Computer Science &
Engineering Students – A Gender Analysis

2. Authors
Region University
Jennifer Fender Ontario University of
Valerie Davidson Guelph
Julita Vassileva Prairies University of
Saskatchewan
Nadia Ghazzali Quebec Laval University
Elizabeth Croft British Columbia University of
& Yukon British Columbia

3. Outline
 Motivation
 Pilot survey – 2010
 Results
 Experiences & plans
 Perceptions of the workplace
 Reflections & next steps

4. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
Undergraduate Degrees Awarded in
Canada
Discipline % Female % Female
(2007) (average 2001-
2007)
Engineering & 18.9 20.4
Applied Science
Mathematics, 27.4 27.3
Computer &
Information Science
Data sources: Engineers Canada &
Statistics Canada

5. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
Representation in Work Force

6. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
2010 Survey
Quantitative & qualitative measures to assess:
 Educational experience
 Field and workplace experiences
 Career plans
 Perceptions of the workplace
Respondents:
Computer Science (203) Engineering(383)
33.5 % Fema 49.6 50.4
66.5 % le % %

7. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
Respondents’ Experiences
Educational Workplace
 76% of students 2/3 have some work
indicated positive or experience in their field
very positive of study
experiences How did work experience
impact interest in pursuing
 70% of female employment in field of
Less interested
engineering students study?
Male ENG
vs. 58% of female Male CS
computer science Female ENG
students would Female CS
choose the same 0 5 10 15 20 25
program again % of sub-group

8. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
Respondents’ Plans
Female CS
Male CS Seek or continue
employment in your
field
Female ENG Graduate studies in
your field
Male ENG
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

9. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
Expectations of gender-based
challenges in workplace
Do you believe that you will face challenges in the workpla
ce because of your gender?
Answering YES:
66% of female engineering
students
63% of females
55% of female computer science
students
7% of males

10. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
Explanation for expectations of
gender-based challenges in
workplace
Female engineering students # %
It's a male dominated field/women are the minority 32 38.1
Women have to work harder to earn respect, are not taken
seriously, are underestimated 30 35.7
Have experienced such challenges in work or school in the past. 10 11.9
If outside of the office (on site) or certain fields
(construction/mining) 10 11.9
Concerned that I will be paid less, get less favourable jobs and
advance less 7 8.3
Because of having children 6 7.1
I can handle it. 5 6
Yes, but it's improving, it’s more with the older generation and
varies with the company and specific people. 3 3.6

11. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
Explanation for expectations of
gender-based challenges in
workplace
Female computer science students # %
Male dominated field/Women in the minority 10 41.7
Experienced in past or heard other's experiences 9 37.5
Women are assumed to be technically weaker and given jobs
accordingly 6 25
Women have to work harder to earn respect, are
underestimated 4 16.7
I can handle it 2 8.33
Yes, but it depends on the specific people 1 4.17
Women are paid less 1 4.17

12. Motivation Pilot survey Results Reflections & Next Steps
Reflections & Next Steps
 Majority of students are positive about their
educational experiences and are planning to seek
employment or pursue graduate degree in field of
studies
 Majority of female students expect to face
discrimination based on gender
 Confident that they can handle gender-based
discrimination
Next steps:
 2011 survey (>1200 responses)
 Pro-active steps in Canadian engineering

13. Acknowledgement
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada (NSERC) provided financial
resources for this research.
Questions?