Sex Differences in Experiences and Career Plans of Freshman Engineering Students

Men and women students representing a population of engineering students at 42 schools completed surveys at the end of their freshman year in college. Two samples of freshmen completed the surveys-students who entered in fall 1975, and those who entered in fall 1976. The surveys focused on freshman year activities and on career plans. Consistent differences between men and women were found for both samples of students. The differences which were found indicate a number of factors of special importance in educating women students. These include assistance with peer group formation, as well as increased information about the nature of engineering careers and exposure to engineering practice.