Practicing Engineer for 20 years. Georgia Tech Grad. Thinking back on Women in Science I have known:
Case #1 : Ph.D. in Physics which took 11 years including undergrad.....lasted nearly 1 year in Industry, now a happy housewife with 2 kids. Husband is a productive scientist. She's smart but was miserable for 11 years + the 1 year of productive work she did.This might be a useful list to show both young men and women who have it in their heads that one's destiny is determined by one's academic credentials. The fact is that MOST women who obtain STEM degrees, and more than a few men, will not remain in any scientific or engineering field for long.
Case #2: Masters Degree from Georgia Tech in Industrial Engineering. Worked in Industry for 4 years i.e. less time than she was in school, now a House Wife with 3 kids.
Case #3 Super Smart Lesbian. Ph.D. Physics....Serial Entrepreneur....multi-millionairess...Briefly became Undersecretary of Energy....Big shot director of multiple universities...on the board of several large corps....wonderful person, gifted teacher.
Case #4 My Old Boss....Ph.D. Physics....~10 years developing high tech before becoming a Six Sigma Black Belt...which is some sort of a management fad....very high income...no kids...had a cat but had it put to sleep when it interfered with her lifestyle.
Case #5.....Ph.D. Physics....Member of JASON Advisory Group....Mother, world famous scientist and pioneer...wonderful person....Mover and Shaker...
Case #6 Ph.D Physics...10 years to get degree lasted 2 years in Industry 2 years in Academia...now a housewife...
Case #7 M.S. Biology....married to a drug addict....underpaid and overworked...only breadwinner supporting worthless husband and 2 kids.
Case #8 Ph.D. Physics.....11 years of college....Initially burned out after 2 years of Industry but returned and is working as a productive scientist....She has dogs instead of children....
This is particularly worth noting for young women who think they are not going to have families due to what are most likely nonexistent careers in science and engineering.
