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University and personal factors that hinder and assist women when completing a degree in engineering

Abstract:

Research on women in engineering confirms the presence of gender barriers that affect their recruitment and retention. These barriers stop some women from choosing engineering as a field of study, and impede some women from completing a degree in engineering. However, there are some young female students who complete their engineering education despite the presence of obstacles throughout their college years. This study addressed the university and personal factors that have hindered, motivated, and assisted women who were graduating with a degree in engineering. By studying and understanding the barriers that hinder women in completing a degree in engineering, as well as the factors that assist and encourage them, we can learn how to break down the barriers and how to facilitate the educational journey of female engineering students. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2009.