Explaining to women that Engineering makes a difference

An interesting op-ed piece by a female engineering, talking about how girls are discouraged from going into engineering, and about how engineering really is about helping people.

To young people, the image of the engineering profession has too often been portrayed as solitary and esoteric, a lonely and abstract pursuit. The reality is much different. Engineering offers the chance to connect with the world in tangible and meaningful ways. It means making an imprint that improves lives.

For many girls, this chance to make a difference would be enormously gratifying. To inspire more girls to consider such paths, Chicago is one of four school districts in the nation now taking part in a $2.4 million federal initiative to get women involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.

via women discouraged from studying engineering – chicagotribune.com.