Perfil de las ingenieras TIC versus el de otras mujeres STEM

Abstract

The low percentage of enrollment of females in the STEM university degrees has been and is the subject of research. Moreover, the low female presence is not evenly distributed in all STEM studies. In certain areas, such as engineering in Informatics, Telecommunications, Electrical and Electronics (hereinafter called ITEE), the presence of women does not grow despite the campaigns to increase female talent and improve data on enrollment. The objectives of this work are to identify the main reasons why women have decided to carry out STEM studies, to determine whether a stereotype of STEM women exist or not, and to detect if there are ifferences between women who choose ITEE studies and those who choose non-ITEE STEM studies. To do this, a survey was sent to 3,699 students and graduates (Alumni) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - arcelonaTech, and 1,060 responses were received. The results reveal a different profile between women who study ITEE and STEM non-ITEE. Understanding the causes that motivate students to enroll in STEM studies, identify what stereotypes they must fight, and the existence of possible differences between ITEE and STEM non- ITEE profiles, could help the responsible of academic policies to promote and attract talent to improve female enrollment in ITEE and STEM studies in general.Postprint (published version