ICSE 2024
Fri 12 - Sun 21 April 2024 Lisbon, Portugal

In the extant literature, there has been discussion on the drivers and motivations of minorities to enter the software industry. For example, universities have invested in more diverse imagery for years to attract a more diverse pool of students. However, in our research, we consider whether we understand why students choose their current major and how they did in the beginning decided to apply to study software engineering. We were also interested in learning if there could be some signs that would help us in marketing to get more women into tech. We approached the topic via an online survey (N = 78) sent to the university students of software engineering in Finland. Our results show that, on average, women apply later to software engineering studies than men, with statistically significant differences between genders. Additionally, we found that marketing actions have different impacts based on gender: personal guidance in live events or platforms is most influential for women, whereas teachers and social media have a more significant impact on men. The results also indicate two main paths into the field: the traditional linear educational pathway and the adult career change pathway, each significantly varying by gender.

Sat 20 Apr

Displayed time zone: Lisbon change

14:00 - 15:30
Perceptions and Educational Aspects of Software EngineeringGE@ICSE at Amália Rodrigues
Chair(s): Lafifa Jamal University of Dhaka
14:00
20m
Full-paper
The Second Round: Diverse Paths Towards Software Engineering
GE@ICSE
Sonja Hyrynsalmi LUT University, Ella Peltonen University of Oulu, Fanny Vainionpää University of Oulu, Sami Hyrynsalmi LUT University
14:20
20m
Full-paper
Learning to Improve Gender Equality: An Analysis of Software Engineering Education in a UK University
GE@ICSE
Neil Anderson , Aidan McGowan Queen's University Belfast, Leo Galway Queen's University Belfast, Matthew Collins Queen's University Belfast, Philip Hanna Queen's University Belfast
14:40
15m
Poster
Software Engineering Education including Single Sex Phases: Is there an Impact on Self Concept and Professional Career? A Retention Study
GE@ICSE
Gerlinde Schreiber Bremen University og Applied Sciences, Lore Funk Competence center technic diversity equal opportunities Bielefeld
14:55
15m
Poster
Draw a Software Engineer Test - Preliminary Attempts to Investigate University Students’s Perceptions of Software Engineering Profession
GE@ICSE
Claudia Maria Cutrupi Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Irene Zanardi USI Università della Svizzera italiana, Letizia Jaccheri Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)