Pathways of female resilience!: a qualitative study exploring the experiences of women computer science students at three top ranked universities.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20412919

This qualitative study examined the factors that played a role in encouraging women's persistence and resilience in Computer Science (CS). Ten female students pursuing a Bachelor's degree in CS from three leading universities in the United States participated in this study. The study consisted of semi-structured, virtual interviews designed to gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of the participants. The factors encouraging success and persistence were explored and analyzed through the lens of the academic resiliency framework. The findings indicate that seeing a broader social purpose in CS, having a growth mindset and a strong sense of determination were some of the major factors that the participants relied on to persist in CS. These women expressed various challenges: struggling with self-confidence and self-doubt, having difficulty landing competitive internships, and not always acing technical interviews in addition to experiencing gender bias and the 'impostor syndrome.' However, it was their passion for CS, desire to use technology to improve people's lives, growth mindset, determination, and self-reliance that allowed these women students not to be deterred from attaining their goals. Understanding the factors that contribute to women students' success in CS is important in informing women who would like to pursue a CS degree what to expect and what might help them overcome challenges and have a successful experience. This is a unique study in that it utilizes the framework of academic resilience for the research on women in CS at an undergraduate level and provides insights for practitioners and suggestions for future research. --Author's abstract