A Girl Majoring in Engineering?

Question

I was thinking about majoring in Civil/ Environmental engineering (I am female). Is that normal?

Answer 1

Go for it!

In my experience in undergrad and graduate engineering, civil, biomedical, and mechanical tend to attract more females than other disciplines (15 to 20 percent in these fields, about 5 in electrical, computer, etc.). There is a huge effort to get more women interested in engineering, and in fact the lack of women in engineering positions is one of the biggest complaints companies have. If you choose to be an engineer, your gender will make it easier for you to be hired for the same reason. There are also professional societies, such as Society for Women Engineers (SWE), that do great things to promote women in the field. If you have concerns about social issues, don't worry--you won't be stereotyped as a nerd. You get quite a bit of respect when you tell people what your major is.

Anyway, I hope you find out more about this and that you make the best decision for yourself. Who knows--perhaps you might be a colleague someday.

Answer 2

Absolutely! I am a chemical engineer. I had no problems whatsoever...my class was about 10-20% women. My best buds were guys.

My recollection with respect to engineering is that there are certain majors (I think civil/environmental) that have about 40-50% female, and others (such as electrical and chemical) that are 10-20%.

If you do the research on the web, I'm sure you can find the true facts if being one of only a few gals bothers you...

I say go for it either way.

Answer 3

Don't worry about being normal. Worry about being the best you you can be.

Men still dominate the engineering field, but women are gaining ground. As mentioned in a previous answer, Smith College has a young engineering program that recently earned its accredidation from the ABET--if you're worried about not fitting in, this is an entire school of women, so only women would be engineering majors!

Additionally, many colleges that offer engineering have chapters of the Society for Women Engineers. . . so there is plenty of support for you should you choose this career path. Schools WANT women to succeed in this field. Good luck!

Answer 4

Very normal. I'm female and I graduated with a degree in civil engineering last year. In fact at least a 3rd of my civil engineering class was female. Not quite proportional but still there are many successful women in the engineering profession.

Answer 5

There are some very smart women out there, I've worked with a few female electrical/telecommunications engineers, and they where very capable, however I did notice that sometimes if they ran across something in the field that wasn't part of their training or education, they were perplexed!
Now I'm not saying anything sexist but from my perspective what makes a good engineer is a mind that can apply fundamental concepts of technology/mechanisms and applications of other disciplines not related to engineering but part of the process of design/ and construction, as relates to tools, their usage and techniques for implementing procedures, women normally don't get much exposure to things like that. But you go girl!

Answer 6

Engineering attracts fewer females than males -- but there are plenty of women who become engineers. The world is changing -- and there is nothing odd about being a female engineer.

Answer 7

Based on the number of scholarships available to female engineering majors, they are in great demand so I think you are a rare person.

If the field is something you are passionate about, don't hesitate, do it.

Answer 8

Yes, but not normal enough. We need more women in engineering.

If you aren't in college already, consider applying to Smith College, the only women's college in the country with an engineering program (and a good one). You can build up some confidence in yourself there before having to take classes that are 90% male.

Answer 9

Not any more "normal" then a man working towards a nursing degree. Sure perhaps the industry is dominated by men, all the more reason your pursuit is valid. Perhaps you'll inspire other women to join the industry evening out the playing field.

Answer 10

Go 4 it! I bet you'll do good. U should just prove that a girl can do something like engineering just as good as a guy can.