Software Engineering Studies Attractiveness for the Highly Educated Women Planning to Change Career in Finland

Abstract

The software industry is suffering from a widespread labour shortage and, at the same time, universities have not been able to react and provide enough skilled talents for the field. A wide selection of actions has been focused into getting more women for the STEM industries. However, the results have not been as efficient that would have hoped for. This study addresses the question how high-educated women perceive the attractiveness of software engineering studies. The data for the paper is collected with an open internet survey (n=134) from Finnish women who have already done or are planning to make a career change to the software industry. The attitudes towards new and old modes of learning and education are surveyed. This study shows that women perceive industry as attractive and value university education, yet there are overabundance of offering in entry-level training courses and lack of advanced studies. The university education is perceived to be rigid and old-fashioned.