Repository: UIHistories Project: SWE - News Clippings Book [PAGE 39]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

•wUmJI j

Lai I \ J i 1 l\^^*v I

oik Shuck A, %o ZDlzty Poked *JkU Quaztez

By Kay Nestleroad

I look back with mixed feelings on my first two years as a woman engineering student. Some happy, some sad, and some funny experiences come to my mind: happy because my courses were passed, sad because harder work would have brought better results, and funny because of my position as a woman in engineering. My years were full of experiences . . . "Be sure to remember to sign u p for ROTC, except of course for the lady present," was the first official recognition I encountered. I think it would be fun to try to sign up for one of these classes. The shock when I walked into class would be worth observing. The knack of walking into class is one talent a woman engineering student has to learn. Shyness is usually lost by the first week of school, though it recurs in the sophomore year when she happens to be the only female in the class, (The Engineering College thoughtfully has two women together in a freshman class.) The first day of classes of any quarter is an experience in itself. The instructor begins with the attendence which goes something like this: Mr. Moore, Mr. Nestleroad, Mr. Nolon — As he goes on I try to get his attention and by the time he realizes his mistake and repeats MISS Nestleroad I'm red with embarrassment and have received several snickers and laughs from my classmates. Oh well, such is the life of a woman engineer. Another common experience is to have a lecturer say "Gentlemen," (pause) "And er, lady,

too." Wonder whether it's better to be ignored? I have received no special consideration from my instructors other than the usual comment, "Well, guess I can't tell my dirty jokes this quarter." The reason I think many women are discouraged from entering engineering is lack of experience. I have found this to be the worst problem I have encountered. It is a struggle to accumulate the knowledge which the males have acquired over two years of shop and a lifetime of tinkering with cars, clocks, lamps, etc., which girls have been discouraged from even considering. One thing, though, I have found that I am encouraged from every side. My professors, the deans of the college, and many of the people I have talked to have done their best to encourage me. My advice to freshman women engineering students? Stick to your guns, it gets easier after the first yeais though it may not seem so now. The favorite comment, "Did you go into engineering to catch, a man?" does not apply to me. I think it goes unsaid that there are surely plenty of easier ways to catch a husband than to go into engineering. Why am I in engineering? Because I believe in making the most of one's talents. I like and enjoy math and science so I want to make use of these talents so as to develop myself. I also want to be creative and do something to help society to be more efficient. <fi