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Abstract
The computer science industry and college degree programs for computer science throughout the country suffer from the “pipeline shrinkage problem”, which describes the declining number of qualified people in various industries (Kordaki & Berdousis, 2014). For computer science, the specific population decline relates to a shortage of young women completing computer science degrees as well as entering into the profession. Using Social Cognitive Career Theory as a theoretical framework, the purpose of this quantitative survey study was to examine the computer science-related experiences of high school girls (15-18 years of age) that contribute to establishing self-efficacy and interest in pursuing computer science at the post-secondary level. The online survey was distributed among five high schools within a suburban school district. The surveyed population included students enrolled in secondary level courses offered within the computer science or programming pathways in Georgia’s information technology cluster. A multiple regression analysis was conducted. Findings from this study provide insight regarding factors that contribute to increasing interest among young women to pursue computer science beyond high school. Results indicated statistically significant relationships between support engagement and the dependent variables of self-efficacy and interest. Consideration should be given to future studies using qualitative design to further examine support engagement relationships and additional factors contributing to the development of self-efficacy among young women pursuing computer science.
INDEX WORDS: Computer Science Education, Career Pathways,
Secondary Education, Self-efficacy, Interest,
Young women