Female engineers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at Smith College. They have engineering but not sure if it's the type you want. Loved my time there and they have a lifelong professional network and placement services.

Are you a Smith engineering grad? Can you share your experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an engineer from Notre Dame and would absolutely recommend it for girls considering engineering. It's a small school and generally the faculty and fellow students are very supportive.
And they've improved a lot since I was there, too: https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/pressreleases/notre-dame-keeps-women-in-engineering

They don't have a full-up biomedical engineering degree, though, instead offering concentrations within mechanical engineering and chemical engineering. And they don't have a med school.[/quote

Thanks for sharing that article PP. We were already looking at Purdue, makes sense to check out Notre Dame.

[Anonymous]

Wellesley has strong academics in all areas. Also, she can take classes at MIT. I studied Architecture at Wellesley and took all of my studio classes at MIT. If your daughter does well her first two years, she can choose to apply to the five year dual degree program (http://www.wellesley.edu/advising/classdeans/engineering/dd#RLiWpPjKKhMGcvGi.97). This would allow her to get a B.A. from Wellesley and a B.S. from MIT. I did not apply for this program because I wanted to stay at Wellesley all four years. And, I felt it was better to get my Bachelors and then go for my Masters. However, it is still an awesome option. I also know many women who took all of their classes at Wellesley and went on to have very successful careers in STEM fields. The MIT option is just an extra perk if she wants it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wellesley has strong academics in all areas. Also, she can take classes at MIT. I studied Architecture at Wellesley and took all of my studio classes at MIT. If your daughter does well her first two years, she can choose to apply to the five year dual degree program (http://www.wellesley.edu/advising/classdeans/engineering/dd#RLiWpPjKKhMGcvGi.97). This would allow her to get a B.A. from Wellesley and a B.S. from MIT. I did not apply for this program because I wanted to stay at Wellesley all four years. And, I felt it was better to get my Bachelors and then go for my Masters. However, it is still an awesome option. I also know many women who took all of their classes at Wellesley and went on to have very successful careers in STEM fields. The MIT option is just an extra perk if she wants it.

Thank you PP, it's most definitely worth a look. It is a little concerning that only 6 have completed the dual degree with MIT in the last decade. Of course, if you're highly motivated this shouldn't be a problem. Just would be more encouraging if there was a sizeable cohort who matriculated together through the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to ask recent grads. I was an engineering graduate in the mid 80s. I hope to god it's changed since then, because the misogynism ran deep. Especially in the "hard core" disciplines.

I'm now in the defense industry. Apparently a glutton for punishment.

Thank you. May I ask where you attended school - hopefully things have improved.

Penn State

Ditto for U of Md college park.
The other students were ironically the ones that were rampantly sexist. I enjoyed my professors and classes in undergrad. Grad school not so muc that's where it really was awful. But the working world was the worst as the men seemed to unite to put the women down and label them useless whenever they could. I wasn't even allowed to work on a project that entailed subject matter that I had graduate degrees in - in favor of guys who needed special permission to graduate with low grades (i.e.: D's and C's). I got mostly A's and I was told that I had probably received those not because I was smart and worked hard but because I had 'sat in the front row wearing a short skirt'. Yeah - no. School was a picnic compared to work.

At least now they make you do an internship - so maybe you can choose law or medicine instead.

Maybe things have improved but I'm glad my own bright daughter does not want to do STEM (also - low pay for long hours)

OP I think things have improved - I hope - but I'd recommend that your DD get a PhD if she wants to be in STEM. It will go a lot better for her.

Female engineer here, b.s. 2003 and master's in 2009.

I disagree with a lot of your points.

You absolutely do not need a PHD to be in STEM; most engineers don't need it. I have a Master's and didn't need it. Engineering firms care more about job experience than grad degrees.

You only need a PHD if you go into academia.

Also, STEM is certainly not low pay for long hours. I have no clue where you get that. We get decent pay for a 9 to 5 job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to ask recent grads. I was an engineering graduate in the mid 80s. I hope to god it's changed since then, because the misogynism ran deep. Especially in the "hard core" disciplines.

I'm now in the defense industry. Apparently a glutton for punishment.

Thank you. May I ask where you attended school - hopefully things have improved.

Penn State

Ditto for U of Md college park.
The other students were ironically the ones that were rampantly sexist. I enjoyed my professors and classes in undergrad. Grad school not so muc that's where it really was awful. But the working world was the worst as the men seemed to unite to put the women down and label them useless whenever they could. I wasn't even allowed to work on a project that entailed subject matter that I had graduate degrees in - in favor of guys who needed special permission to graduate with low grades (i.e.: D's and C's). I got mostly A's and I was told that I had probably received those not because I was smart and worked hard but because I had 'sat in the front row wearing a short skirt'. Yeah - no. School was a picnic compared to work.

At least now they make you do an internship - so maybe you can choose law or medicine instead.

Maybe things have improved but I'm glad my own bright daughter does not want to do STEM (also - low pay for long hours)

OP I think things have improved - I hope - but I'd recommend that your DD get a PhD if she wants to be in STEM. It will go a lot better for her.

Female engineer here, b.s. 2003 and master's in 2009.

I disagree with a lot of your points.

You absolutely do not need a PHD to be in STEM; most engineers don't need it. I have a Master's and didn't need it. Engineering firms care more about job experience than grad degrees.

You only need a PHD if you go into academia.

Also, STEM is certainly not low pay for long hours. I have no clue where you get that. We get decent pay for a 9 to 5 job.

9-5 job? Never had that we worked long hours.
The pay is great, sure, if you don't mind living in a run down aluminum siding house in PG county.

[Anonymous]

My cousin graduated from Drexel University and is a successful engineer at a firm in Philadelphia. She enjoyed the program, especially the experiential learning part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to ask recent grads. I was an engineering graduate in the mid 80s. I hope to god it's changed since then, because the misogynism ran deep. Especially in the "hard core" disciplines.

I'm now in the defense industry. Apparently a glutton for punishment.

Thank you. May I ask where you attended school - hopefully things have improved.

Penn State

Ditto for U of Md college park.
The other students were ironically the ones that were rampantly sexist. I enjoyed my professors and classes in undergrad. Grad school not so muc that's where it really was awful. But the working world was the worst as the men seemed to unite to put the women down and label them useless whenever they could. I wasn't even allowed to work on a project that entailed subject matter that I had graduate degrees in - in favor of guys who needed special permission to graduate with low grades (i.e.: D's and C's). I got mostly A's and I was told that I had probably received those not because I was smart and worked hard but because I had 'sat in the front row wearing a short skirt'. Yeah - no. School was a picnic compared to work.

At least now they make you do an internship - so maybe you can choose law or medicine instead.

Maybe things have improved but I'm glad my own bright daughter does not want to do STEM (also - low pay for long hours)

OP I think things have improved - I hope - but I'd recommend that your DD get a PhD if she wants to be in STEM. It will go a lot better for her.

Female engineer here, b.s. 2003 and master's in 2009.

I disagree with a lot of your points.

You absolutely do not need a PHD to be in STEM; most engineers don't need it. I have a Master's and didn't need it. Engineering firms care more about job experience than grad degrees.

You only need a PHD if you go into academia.

Also, STEM is certainly not low pay for long hours. I have no clue where you get that. We get decent pay for a 9 to 5 job.

9-5 job? Never had that we worked long hours.
The pay is great, sure, if you don't mind living in a run down aluminum siding house in PG county.

While I appreciate a good debate, the PP who mentioned salary first is being too vague. Engineering starting salaries are very high. http://www.mtu.edu/engineering/outreach/welcome/salary/

Most e schools also publish surveys on their website about careers and salaries of the graduating class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My cousin graduated from Drexel University and is a successful engineer at a firm in Philadelphia. She enjoyed the program, especially the experiential learning part.

Thank you. My DD really likes what's she's learned about co-op programs at Northeastern and Drexel and at other schools who offer this type of experience. The

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to ask recent grads. I was an engineering graduate in the mid 80s. I hope to god it's changed since then, because the misogynism ran deep. Especially in the "hard core" disciplines.

I'm now in the defense industry. Apparently a glutton for punishment.

Thank you. May I ask where you attended school - hopefully things have improved.

Penn State

Ditto for U of Md college park.
The other students were ironically the ones that were rampantly sexist. I enjoyed my professors and classes in undergrad. Grad school not so muc that's where it really was awful. But the working world was the worst as the men seemed to unite to put the women down and label them useless whenever they could. I wasn't even allowed to work on a project that entailed subject matter that I had graduate degrees in - in favor of guys who needed special permission to graduate with low grades (i.e.: D's and C's). I got mostly A's and I was told that I had probably received those not because I was smart and worked hard but because I had 'sat in the front row wearing a short skirt'. Yeah - no. School was a picnic compared to work.

At least now they make you do an internship - so maybe you can choose law or medicine instead.

Maybe things have improved but I'm glad my own bright daughter does not want to do STEM (also - low pay for long hours)

OP I think things have improved - I hope - but I'd recommend that your DD get a PhD if she wants to be in STEM. It will go a lot better for her.

Female engineer here, b.s. 2003 and master's in 2009.

I disagree with a lot of your points.

You absolutely do not need a PHD to be in STEM; most engineers don't need it. I have a Master's and didn't need it. Engineering firms care more about job experience than grad degrees.

You only need a PHD if you go into academia.

Also, STEM is certainly not low pay for long hours. I have no clue where you get that. We get decent pay for a 9 to 5 job.

9-5 job? Never had that we worked long hours.
The pay is great, sure, if you don't mind living in a run down aluminum siding house in PG county.

While I appreciate a good debate, the PP who mentioned salary first is being too vague. Engineering starting salaries are very high. http://www.mtu.edu/engineering/outreach/welcome/salary/

Most e schools also publish surveys on their website about careers and salaries of the graduating class.

For the Washington DC area those salaries are not high.

First of all I don't know anyone getting anything like the upper tier of that salary except for phd's. The phd's I know get paid more, are respected more and have more control over their careers.

Most engineers that I know of here that work for government contractors get closer to the bottom tier of that salary chart and work extra unpaid hours for that salary. It is slightly more than what a teacher gets and probably less than nursing, depending on the fueld.

Couple that with another engineer of a nurse/firefighter/teacher salary and it's enough to live in a modest home in PG or in the modest Baltimore suburbs somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at Smith College. They have engineering but not sure if it's the type you want. Loved my time there and they have a lifelong professional network and placement services.

Are you a Smith engineering grad? Can you share your experience?

It started after my time. From the Smith Picker Engineering webpages: In 2004, Smith College made history when 19 women graduated as part of the first class of engineers ever from an all-women’s ABET-accredited engineering program. They built a science and engineering building in 2010. They are also part of the 5 college and students can take classes at UMass, Amherst, Holyoke or Hampshire. Great place to visit colleges, too, because there are so many there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to ask recent grads. I was an engineering graduate in the mid 80s. I hope to god it's changed since then, because the misogynism ran deep. Especially in the "hard core" disciplines.

I'm now in the defense industry. Apparently a glutton for punishment.

Thank you. May I ask where you attended school - hopefully things have improved.

Penn State

Ditto for U of Md college park.
The other students were ironically the ones that were rampantly sexist. I enjoyed my professors and classes in undergrad. Grad school not so muc that's where it really was awful. But the working world was the worst as the men seemed to unite to put the women down and label them useless whenever they could. I wasn't even allowed to work on a project that entailed subject matter that I had graduate degrees in - in favor of guys who needed special permission to graduate with low grades (i.e.: D's and C's). I got mostly A's and I was told that I had probably received those not because I was smart and worked hard but because I had 'sat in the front row wearing a short skirt'. Yeah - no. School was a picnic compared to work.

At least now they make you do an internship - so maybe you can choose law or medicine instead.

Maybe things have improved but I'm glad my own bright daughter does not want to do STEM (also - low pay for long hours)

OP I think things have improved - I hope - but I'd recommend that your DD get a PhD if she wants to be in STEM. It will go a lot better for her.

Female engineer here, b.s. 2003 and master's in 2009.

I disagree with a lot of your points.

You absolutely do not need a PHD to be in STEM; most engineers don't need it. I have a Master's and didn't need it. Engineering firms care more about job experience than grad degrees.

You only need a PHD if you go into academia.

Also, STEM is certainly not low pay for long hours. I have no clue where you get that. We get decent pay for a 9 to 5 job.

9-5 job? Never had that we worked long hours.
The pay is great, sure, if you don't mind living in a run down aluminum siding house in PG county.

While I appreciate a good debate, the PP who mentioned salary first is being too vague. Engineering starting salaries are very high. http://www.mtu.edu/engineering/outreach/welcome/salary/

Most e schools also publish surveys on their website about careers and salaries of the graduating class.

For the Washington DC area those salaries are not high.

First of all I don't know anyone getting anything like the upper tier of that salary except for phd's. The phd's I know get paid more, are respected more and have more control over their careers.

Most engineers that I know of here that work for government contractors get closer to the bottom tier of that salary chart and work extra unpaid hours for that salary. It is slightly more than what a teacher gets and probably less than nursing, depending on the fueld.

Couple that with another engineer of a nurse/firefighter/teacher salary and it's enough to live in a modest home in PG or in the modest Baltimore suburbs somewhere.

Odenton, Waldorf, Bowie, Savage, Scaggsville, Parole, Catonsville - these are places many engineering friends I know live. It's a modest existence.

[Anonymous]

You might check out UIUC. Great for engineering. Not sure about bioengineering but, they do have The Beckmann Institute and they are now constructing a new clinical hospital (?) in conjunction with a local hospital.

[Anonymous]

I'm OP: just wanted to thank you all for chiming in. Good or bad, it's been extremely helpful. Great thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might want to ask recent grads. I was an engineering graduate in the mid 80s. I hope to god it's changed since then, because the misogynism ran deep. Especially in the "hard core" disciplines.

I'm now in the defense industry. Apparently a glutton for punishment.

Thank you. May I ask where you attended school - hopefully things have improved.

Penn State

Ditto for U of Md college park.
The other students were ironically the ones that were rampantly sexist. I enjoyed my professors and classes in undergrad. Grad school not so muc that's where it really was awful. But the working world was the worst as the men seemed to unite to put the women down and label them useless whenever they could. I wasn't even allowed to work on a project that entailed subject matter that I had graduate degrees in - in favor of guys who needed special permission to graduate with low grades (i.e.: D's and C's). I got mostly A's and I was told that I had probably received those not because I was smart and worked hard but because I had 'sat in the front row wearing a short skirt'. Yeah - no. School was a picnic compared to work.

At least now they make you do an internship - so maybe you can choose law or medicine instead.

Maybe things have improved but I'm glad my own bright daughter does not want to do STEM (also - low pay for long hours)

OP I think things have improved - I hope - but I'd recommend that your DD get a PhD if she wants to be in STEM. It will go a lot better for her.

Female engineer here, b.s. 2003 and master's in 2009.

I disagree with a lot of your points.

You absolutely do not need a PHD to be in STEM; most engineers don't need it. I have a Master's and didn't need it. Engineering firms care more about job experience than grad degrees.

You only need a PHD if you go into academia.

Also, STEM is certainly not low pay for long hours. I have no clue where you get that. We get decent pay for a 9 to 5 job.

9-5 job? Never had that we worked long hours.
The pay is great, sure, if you don't mind living in a run down aluminum siding house in PG county.

While I appreciate a good debate, the PP who mentioned salary first is being too vague. Engineering starting salaries are very high. http://www.mtu.edu/engineering/outreach/welcome/salary/

Most e schools also publish surveys on their website about careers and salaries of the graduating class.

For the Washington DC area those salaries are not high.

First of all I don't know anyone getting anything like the upper tier of that salary except for phd's. The phd's I know get paid more, are respected more and have more control over their careers.

Most engineers that I know of here that work for government contractors get closer to the bottom tier of that salary chart and work extra unpaid hours for that salary. It is slightly more than what a teacher gets and probably less than nursing, depending on the fueld.

Couple that with another engineer of a nurse/firefighter/teacher salary and it's enough to live in a modest home in PG or in the modest Baltimore suburbs somewhere.

Odenton, Waldorf, Bowie, Savage, Scaggsville, Parole, Catonsville - these are places many engineering friends I know live. It's a modest existence.

Going off topic a bit but I find it amazing that someone who works to trim the fat out of healthcare (i.e.: skimping on healthcare plans) can make 5-100 times as much as an engineer of a scientist.