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Breaking Barriers: Attracting Female Students to Construction Engineering and Management Undergraduate Programs

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Conference

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Portland, Oregon

Publication Date

June 23, 2024

Start Date

June 23, 2024

End Date

July 12, 2024

Conference Session

Student Engagement in Construction Education

Tagged Division

Construction Engineering Division (CONST)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/48404

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Paper Authors

biography

Namhun Lee Central Connecticut State University

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Dr. Lee is a professor of Construction Management at Central Connecticut State University. His current research focuses on utilizing emerging technologies for construction efficiency and collaboration. Dr. Lee is also interested in enhancing construction education and training through innovative educational technologies.

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Abstract

The construction industry is widely recognized as a male-dominated environment, which has presented challenges in attracting qualified female employees. The considerably low female student enrollments in construction engineering and management (CEM) undergraduate degree programs have continued to draw attention from academia. This case study focuses on a cohort of female students in a CEM program at a regional university in the Northeast. It examines the students’ CEM degree choice decision, their learning experience, and the strategies for attracting more female students to CEM programs. This study identifies the factors that influence female students' choices in pursuing CEM degrees and suggests strategies to encourage and attract more women to study and work in the industry. The results of the case study highlight that personal interest in construction and career opportunities are the most significant factors influencing female students' decisions to major in CEM. Furthermore, the majority of students reported positive learning experiences during their studies. The findings inform recommendations for CEM program recruitment efforts. The recommendations include collaborating with a Professional Women in Construction chapter to provide prospective students with increased opportunities for engagement within the construction industry. Additionally, enhancing advertising efforts through social media platforms and the internet, featuring female guest speakers, and providing high school students and counselors with up-to-date information on CEM programs are strategically significant actions to address the gender imbalance in the field.

Lee, N. (2024, June), Breaking Barriers: Attracting Female Students to Construction Engineering and Management Undergraduate Programs Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. https://strategy.asee.org/48404

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