Re: not a new subject - women in electronics and computing?

On 21 Nov 2006 07:43:44 -0800, "Lyn" <sensecam@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:


I've been reading and occasionally contributing to sci.electronics for
about 13 years.

I'm still wondering why there are not that many women attracted to
careers to electronics/computing.
I also wonder do any women do electronics/ computing for fun, i.e. a
hobby?

Part of my work (I'm a researcher) is encouraging young women to
consider careers in electronics/ computers and I would like to know how
I can help, this is the reason for my posting. I'm talking to a girls
college in Cambridge, UK next year, so your experiences and anecdotes
welcome.

Postings from women especially appreciated.

There is no unusual spin on my posting, it is a genuine request as I
have never met female electronic engineers for many years. I know
there are some good ones in the military and understand they are bound
to secrecy.
So no flames please, I'm genuine, but humour and constructive comments
welcome!

Lyndsay Williams
Researcher
http://research.microsoft.com/users/lyn/


Here's a little question that may separate the boys from the girls:

Remember the kid's game, where you're asked to pat the top of your
head, up and down, and simultaneously rub your stomach in a circular
motion?

Who here can do this, and who can't? My wife, who is very verbal and
social, can't at all. Not only is this easy for me, I can generally
perform two fairly simple but independent tasks simultaneously, one
with each hand. But I can't type, and she can. [1]

This may indicate connectedness, the white matter and the corpus
colusum of the brain. If you have a lot, you are maybe more
integrated, more social, more adaptive, possibly more female. If you
have less, you may be more able to specialize on a narrow task,
exclude distractions, more rigid, possibly more male. With hardly any,
you may be autistic.

The pat-rub thing might be a good interview question/test.

John


[1] and I'm up to 3932 lines of assembly code so far this month! And
most of it works.


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