Longitudinal effects on individual influences in women's pursuit of computer science education

Carnegie Mellon University has a reputation as a leader in increasing and sustaining women in computer science (CS) undergraduate education. This chapter presents an analysis of individual factors that played a role in shaping women’s pathways to study CS at Carnegie Mellon. Trauth’s individual differences theory of gender and IT is used to explore which personal influences and characters played a role in shaping women’s decisions and how these factors have dynamically evolved over the last three decades. This chapter concludes with a summary of considerations including the need to do a better job in helping more parents and guardians understand CS and the benefits of careers in the field.