Women Battle "Macho" Culture in Science and Tech Professions

This article from last Thursday's NEW YORK TIMES, discusses a study by the Center for Work-Life Policy to be published in the June issue of the Harvard Business Review, which paints a portrait of a macho culture in the science, engineering, and technical professions, where women are outsiders, and where those who do enter are likely to eventually leave.

Engineering has risen to become the fifth most popular major among Smithies. Smith is the first and only U.S. college to offer an all-women's engineering program.

The new Ford building, the location and size of which I strongly opposed, has struggled to find funding and is not yet completed. It is the first building on campus named after a corporation. It will be the largest building in the entire city of Northampton. It will be the permanent home of the Smith engineering program, as well as home to other sciences.

Perhaps if it does help women to obtain a stronger and more permanent foothold in engineering and the sciences, it will have been worth the terrible price Northampton and the Smith campus have paid for its construction.

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An Open Letter to Girls Considering a Career in IT