For Hayley Surbaugh, a freshman civil engineering major, being one of only two women in an engineering class of 40 people has become a norm.
Surbaugh is among a small number of women pursuing engineering as a major.
“You’re definitely outnumbered,” Surbaugh said. “It’s not a big deal, though. I feel like I’m making a statement that girls can do it too.”
In the 2010-11 school year, out of the 400 students getting their bachelor’s of science in engineering at Cal State Long Beach, only 66 were women. This number is considerably small compared to other departments that have nearly an equal percentage of male and female students.
Surbaugh said that she has to show that she is tough in a maledominated industry.
“You definitely need to be strong-minded and be able to stand up for yourself,” Surbaugh said. “People will tell you, ‘You can’t do it.’ You just have to say ‘That’s nice,’ and prove them wrong.”
Another student, Melissa Maya, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, chose her major because it fit her interest, and she wanted to do something that was out of the box.
“I like a challenge and engineering is definitely a hard major that would need dedication towards your studying,” Maya said. “I want to do something that most people don’t do and something that will benefit the world.”
Although more women are acquiring their degrees in engineering, women still comprise less than 10 percent of the engineering industry.
Though Maya and Surbaugh are outnumbered in their classes, they see it positively.
“It actually feels cool because most guys would say girls can’t do certain things,” Maya said. “But actually, I can and I can do it a thousand times better than them. I think being a girl will give me an edge in the industry.”
At CSULB, only four of the 19 full-time faculty professors in engineering are women.
“There’s really not much difference when it comes to the passion and quality of teachings between a male and a female professor,” Maya said. “I respect the intellect of my professors.”
While more women are acquiring degrees in typical female role jobs, Surbaugh and Maya can’t see themselves doing anything else.
“I don’t know why there’s not that many women in engineering,” Maya said. “I guess they see it as a male dominated major and they get intimidated. But, I love getting my hands dirty and knowing that one day I will be able to create amazing things with my major.”
Surbaugh and Maya still have four to five years at CSULB in a six-year engineering program, but they are excited to be a part of it.
Maya said she wants to design machines and machine parts.
“I want to work for Boeing one day and do great things,” Maya said. “But I am young, so I am keeping my options for any possibilities.”
For Surbaugh, her passion to help people is what’s motivating her.
“I want to work for the government and help people who have been devastated in places like Haiti or New Orleans,” Surbaugh said. sophomore mechanical engineering major, chose her major because she wanted to do something that was out of the box.
“I like a challenge and engineering is definitely a hard major that would need dedication toward your studying,” Maya said. “I want to do something that most people don’t do and something that will benefit the world.”
Although more women are earning engineering degrees, women still comprise less than 10 percent of the industry.
Although Maya and Surbaugh are outnumbered in their classes, they see it as something positive.
“It actually feels cool because most guys would say girls can’t do certain things,” Maya said. “But actually, I can, and I can do it a thousand times better than them. I think being a girl will give me an edge in the industry.”
At CSULB, only four of the 19 full-time faculty professors in engineering are women.
“There’s really not much difference when it comes to the passion and quality of teaching between a male and a female professor,” Maya said. “I respect the intellect of my professors.”
Surbaugh and Maya still have four to five years at CSULB in a six-year engineering program, but they are excited to be a part of it.
Maya said she wants to design machines and machine parts.
“I want to work for Boeing one day and do great things,” Maya said. “But I am young, so I am keeping my options for any possibilities.”
For Surbaugh, her passion to help people is what’s motivating her.
“I want to work for the government and help people who have been devastated in places like Haiti or New Orleans,” Surbaugh said.