<p>I am a current Junior in high school and I would really like to attend this university and major in Engineering. I am taking AP Calculus and I sit around nothing but males. Literally, the closest girl is about 4 rows away from me. Anyways, when we have partner work, it feels like they undermine me. One guy even told me "You're a girl, you can't do math." I'll always end up having to prove them wrong by explaining concepts to them, and I sometimes will be able to solve problems before them. Whenever I am able to solve a problem, they'll say something along the lines of "OMG, GREAT job, see, SHE was able to get it..." Then they'll all freak out while congratulating me nonstop. Then they'll pick on the guy who got beat by "the girl". But if one of them figures it out, the response is "Cool..." or "K". Sometimes, it gets annoying I guess.</p>
<p>I guess what I'm trying to ask is, how is the atmosphere here for female engineers??? Is the gender distribution a huge problem here??? I guess I'm tired of being around sexist people and I need somebody to shed some light for me on this topic. Thanks!</p>
<p>Boys like that make me so mad and girl, they’re just being immature.</p>
<p>I’m a sophomore at State studying Chemical Engineering and Paper Science & Engineering (PSE is a joint effort in the College of Natural Resources and College of Engineering). I can’t say it’s perfect, because as a society we have a ways to go with women in the sciences but I have never felt like someone thought I was less able or didn’t belong in one of my classes. There are more guys, sure. But not one of those guys has ever expressed something negative about my gender. </p>
<p>As a female engineer you’ll have an opportunity to join WISE, Women in Science & Engineering. This is a Living-Learning Village where you will live with other STEM majors, attend a certain number of programs a semester, and bond with other smart gals like yourself. I lived in WISE and I really enjoyed that large network of women going through the same things that I was.</p>
<p>I can’t speak for all the engineers but in PSE we even have a PSE Women organization that I’ve been with since the beginning. We plan professional development activities, social gatherings, and community service to get together as a group and reach out to other STEM women. The Community for Diversity within the College of Natural Resources (Dr. Shaefny Grays, to be specific) does a wonderful job reaching out to students of color and women in PSE, and she has been such a help.</p>
<p>The amount of adult women in the program is comforting, as well. Dr. Adrianna Kirkman ([Adrianna</a> G. Kirkman | Department of Forest Biomaterials](<a href=“http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fb/about/faculty/kirkman.php]Adrianna”>http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fb/about/faculty/kirkman.php)) is a professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Pat Hill ([Pat</a> Hill | Department of Forest Biomaterials](<a href=“http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fb/about/faculty/hill.php]Pat”>http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fb/about/faculty/hill.php)), or “Miss Pat” has the task of helping us find jobs. Finally, Jennifer Piercy ([Jennifer</a> Piercy | Department of Forest Biomaterials](<a href=“http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fb/about/faculty/piercy.php]Jennifer”>http://cnr.ncsu.edu/fb/about/faculty/piercy.php)) is an alumni of the program, Director of the Pulp & Paper Foundation (the organization that gives us scholarships and other great stuff), and is our Recruiter.</p>
<p>To sum it up… there are not an equal number of girls and guys. It’s a sad fact, but it’s true. Despite that, I’ve felt welcomed into both my majors, I’ve found my community of women to support me, and I have made some of the greatest friends, both women an men.</p>
<p>I’m a female structural engineer and went to college way back in 1980. Even back then, I didn’t have any problems. I was usually treated like one of the guys. I made some great friends. I graduated with high honors and went on to get my master’s degree. We girls poured concrete and tested cylinders beside the guys.</p>
<p>I’ve run into about TWO sexist guys at work in 30 years. Not too bad! Just do a good job - that’s what your employer is looking for.</p>