Dissertation
Voices of women who stayed: a case study of women leaders with computer science or engineering degrees in high-tech companies in Silicon Valley
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000132
Abstract
The purpose of this case study was to understand the experiences of women in any leadership role with Computer Science or Engineering degrees that have helped them persist and advance in their careers in the context of Silicon Valley. The "leaky pipeline" phenomenon has been described as women leaving the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) track at many stages in the pipeline (K-12, secondary, career). It has resulted in underrepresentation of women at all levels of the career ladder, specifically, for women with Computer Science and Engineering degrees in leadership positions. Using a case study research methodology, this study sought to answer this question: Why do women with Computer Science and Engineering degrees leadership positions in Silicon Valley stay in the field? Ten women in senior leadership roles in high-tech companies in Silicon Valley with at least a Bachelor's in Science degree in Computer Science or Engineering participated in the study. Women in this case study had a job title of Director or above. One-on-one interviews, a review of artifacts, and the researcher's observations of the participants during their participation in the study were analyzed. Four themes emerged from their interviews and artifact review: (a) STEM foundation, (b) grit, (c) Silicon Valley barriers, and (d) career strategies.
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Details
- Title
- Voices of women who stayed
- Creators
- Claudia Galvan
- Contributors
- Kathy Dee Geller (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 121 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014695139404721