Hello,
I am being told almost every single day at the university that girls shouldnt be programmers. They can’t do it. They dont have what it takes. and then they say, that I am one of the “rare kind” that doesnt count. It bothers me and it bothers me A LOT to be in a classroom that the teacher praises the guys in and if a some girls make a mistake, its a joke. I have spoken to several staff members but nothing has solved the problem. The thing is, it is true what the teachers say, in my country the girls just want to graduate and thats it. So, they sign up their classes with easy going professors and they do succeed.
I signed up my classes with the tougher teachers and I am emotionaly suffering with their attitude towards women programmers. Several have told me that they would rather teach a class full of boys then have some girls in their. I know they dont mean me, but it still bothers me and I would like to do something about it. I am popular among staff and a board member at a programming club (the only girl, the rest are guys) and I can start something at the university, I just need help in starting something good. Something that will change the girls and will also change the teachers’ attitude towards them.
Thank you.
Sam
26 comments
Filip
This is sad and stupid at the same time. I am a programming student, in the fourth grade. In the entire school there is only one programmer girl. We all find it sad. If you asked other programming students, I’m sure they would reply that they would love more girls to be programmers. I don’t understand where the thing comes from that they shouldn’t do it. By the way, I’m from Czech Republic.
Mitch
I don’t really know if I am allowed around here… And this is very old, but still…
I would like to say, that I am a highly skilled programmer as well (I like C++ the most)…
I am actually of quite some renown, but that is besides the point…
I think female programmers are hot (because of their intelligence)…
it’s sad that they are so rare… Women are JUST AS GOOD as men programmers…
No less, nor more. Though, women tend to have more dedication, and enthusiasm then men do…
Though time has passed, and this is obviously not getting any reads, I would like to say I hope you got a good paying career, and bright future, wish I could have meet you! I bet you are really good (like me)! :)
Currently I am making a nice cross-platform multiplayer (online) video game (it really is going well)!
If I met you, I would definitely ask if you would like to join my small (but professional) team!
gretchen
Hi Mitch – thank you for your encouraging comment! This post may be old but it still gets quite a few reads each month. :)
Apocalypse0
Well with the amount of girls shopping and playing with their iphone.. and gossiping does not help anyhow.
I think that for ten guys there is one girl programming even less depending of the country…it is just pure statistics.
That does not mean some of them cannot do it. But that guys are more into mathematics and programming it’s a fact.
But the jokes about you are a lack of respect!
You should say it!
Tom Leonardsson
youtube “gyrovorbis” and watch there newest videos she’s the coolest female programmer ever
gretchen
Thanks for posting Nick – we do celebrate Ada Lovelace day around here. :)
Nick
What about Ada Lovelace? (And yes I’m a bloke, just supporting your cause)
gretchen
Wow – classy. 8-|
a actual guy
sure, girls can do anything but thay can do it just as well-with respect- if thay look hot!
Tracey
I have heard same things. There are plenty of women out there in IT though. We are admired for our communication and people skills too. Go women in I.T.
mir
Iv been a programmer for over 25 years.
Girls can be programmers, but i think they have to be better than the men to get to the same place which is unfair really.
The amount of time iv heard people say ,’mans code’ or ‘it takes a man to code’, it almost makes you laugh. but in a good company with talented programmers, a talented girl programmer will fit in, in a company with ego driven males (usually under 25) where talent or ability is not of importance then girls can have a hard time and its probably best since they would not learn much their.