Gender Differences in Aspiring Software Engineers: Role Models, Company Selection Criteria, and Interests

Abstract

The proportion of men in STEM is often higher, leading to frequent gender gaps. For example, the lack of women makes it difficult for them to find role models, and the predominance of men can unintentionally skew the culture and systems towards men, making it uncomfortable for the minority. Computer science is one such field. One factor contributing to this gap is the "significant imbalance in the ratio." Therefore, to address this gap, it is essential to increase the number of people in the minority. In this study, we surveyed prospective software engineers about role models, company selection criteria, and interests and discussed measures to increase the number of female software engineering aspirants.