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June 18, 2008, 04:14 PM ET
Why Women Leave Science and Technology Careers
A new Harvard Business Review paper argues that women leave science and technology careers in droves because of “hostile macho cultures” and risk-taking incentives, among other reasons.
The paper, produced by the Center for Work-Life Policy, found that more than half of women who enter science, engineering, and technology careers drop out. The paper’s authors identified several “antigens” in corporate sci/tech cultures that force women out: macho work environments, feelings of isolation or career stagnation, cultures that encourage risk-taking, and time-intensive positions that compromise family responsibilities. The study also analyzes 13 company initiatives that try to combat these pressures.
Studies from MIT, the National Science Foundation, and elsewhere have previously addressed the female brain drain in the sciences. The Chronicle has also covered efforts at universities to combat the “antigens” cited in the HBR study. The University of Southern California has set up a support network for women in science and engineering, for example, and Carleton College has developed a sort of professor mentoring program that seems to encourage more female students into science Ph.D. programs.—Catherine Rampell
Categories: Research, Leadership
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