Girls Can’t Be Programmers

Posted by: sam on January 18, 2007 |

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

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • blogmarks
  • Blogosphere News
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Furl
  • Spurl
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis

16 Responses to “Girls Can’t Be Programmers”

Pages: « 1 [2] Show All

  1. #11
    On February 5th, 2007 6:44 pm Ligaya Turmelle Says:
    Gravatar

    I am so sorry to hear you are going through this. I guess I was very lucky with the school I attended (numerous female professors and the dean was female).

    Unfortunately other then changing schools you need to hang in there. You ARE just as smart (if not smarter), twice as strong (you are still there doing it despite their attitude), and an extraordinary woman (and probably stubborn as heck - good for you).

    Have you looked in your area (or outside of it) for a successful woman (either a programmer or just in technology)? Maybe she would be willing to mentor you? There are also a number of women in technology groups available on the web. Find one you like and maybe start a local branch to help support each other.

  2. #12
    On February 7th, 2007 12:24 pm Sam Says:
    Gravatar

    thanks everyone for your support, LornaJane, I really like your idea, and I am currently looking online for similar events and blogs written about something that someone has done.

    Ligaya, Thank you so much for your kind words, and I must agree, I am as stubborn as stubborn can be, so I really am trying my best to come up with an idea. I am sorry to say that there arent any great women in my field that are willing to give up some hours from their busy schedule to help some student thats trying to change the society and their views. Smart people usually tend to focus on their career, well, thats what I have seen here - mostly. There are so few of those that agree that making a difference is a smart decision. and the “women voice” that we hear in Kuwait is usually in politics and other fields, not in the CS field. I am so blessed to meet Gretchen and all of you ladies and I think with this support, I can do anything. I just need the proper guidance. Thanks all.

  3. #13
    On March 13th, 2007 6:32 am Share Your Story : Girls Can’t WHAT? Says:
    Gravatar

    […] Girls Can’t Be Programmers […]

  4. #14
    On July 17th, 2007 10:03 am Girls Can’t Be Programmer, Part 2 : Girls Can’t WHAT? Says:
    Gravatar

    […] always find it interesting whenever I hear stories such as Sam’s in Girls Can’t Be Programmer. I have been pretty much studying programming also but I also dive into computer engineering […]

  5. #15
    On July 17th, 2007 10:03 am Girls Can’t Be Programmers, Part 2 : Girls Can’t WHAT? Says:
    Gravatar

    […] always find it interesting whenever I hear stories such as Sam’s in Girls Can’t Be Programmer. I have been pretty much studying programming also but I also dive into computer engineering […]

  6. #16
    On November 23rd, 2007 12:02 am MLG Says:
    Gravatar

    Why is this even a topic? I work for G.E. and we have lots of talented computer programmers who happen to be female! Sure, if you are male or female and you want to get into programming, go for it!

Pages: « 1 [2] Show All

Leave a Reply

  • Girls Who Can

    Get the Flash Player to see the slideshow.

  • Latest Designs

    Discus Discus

    Swimmer Swimmer

    Runner Runner

    Do-It-Yourself Do-It-Yourself

    Shot Put Shot Put

    EMT-Paramedic EMT-Paramedic

  • Coupons





  • Earn Cash

    Earn cash by promoting Girls Can't WHAT?™ Gear on your web site, blog or myspace. Click here for details.

  • Vote or Girls Can't WHAT?