| Previous research examining the declining participation of females in post-secondary computing programs focuses primarily on computer science programs in U.S. universities and rarely distinguishes between the needs of different groups of females. This study explores obstacles experienced by females in computer studies programs at an Ontario college where female enrollment in computer studies programs declined from 35% in 1999 to 14% in 2006. Experiences of obstacles are explored by age and race. Fifteen female students participated in an interview and completed a three-part questionnaire. Findings revealed the importance of mentors and role models, participants' lack of interest and weak backgrounds in computer programming, participants' desire for balance in their work, negative images of computing work discouraged participants, especially younger participants, and a perceived lack of computing jobs discouraged participants, especially visible minority participants. Finally, four personas were created from a composite of the words, perceptions, and life stories of participants to convey how they experience obstacles to their academic progress. |
