We're not robots. A crisis in the tech industry Despite the presence of networking among women in technology, a crisis exists in the industry, according to sources for this report. For a number of years, studies have shown fewer college women are getting involved in the technology industry. The U.S. Department of Education statistics show that fewer than 28 percent of the computer science bachelor's degrees awarded in 1997 went to women, down from 37 percent in 1985. Pamela Takayoshi, an associate English professor and speaker on women and technology issues for the University of Louisville, says one problem is America's culture.
Technology is portrayed as a masculine enterprise.
Also, within the computer science culture, it's really not a very friendly environment for women a lot of times. Takayoshi said that because women are a minority in the technology field, a need has arisen for support groups such as TriStateWit, along with a need for its members to mentor young women and girls. Sinn agrees that she and her colleagues should devote more time to mentoring. She also has found that the tech world is very aggressive and that aspect doesn't appeal to some women. They like to socialize and staring at a screen doesn't always appeal to them.