Journey into Engineering

WENDY H. FOX-TURNBULL, PAUL D. DOCHERTY, MARYAM MORIDNEJAD AND JOSY COOPER

There is a considerable lack of females in the engineering disciplines at tertiary level in New Zealand. This is an economic issue as well as an equity issue as a diverse workforce facilitates diverse thinking and solutions to engineering issues. Literature suggests that parents, teachers, students’ self-perception and beliefs, and stereotypical views influence girls’ career selection.
This article reports on two research projects that investigated influences on career selection and perceptions and attitudes towards engineering.