Puncturing the Pipeline: Do Technology Companies Alienate Women in Recruiting Sessions?

• In Event: 283 - Section on Organizations, Occupation and Work Paper Session. Work, Careers, Organizations, and Labor Markets in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Fields

Abstract

Researchers have documented a “chilly” environment for women in technical domains that dampens women’s interest and sense of belonging, particularly in high school and college. However, we know less about the impact of tech companies’ actions and environments on women’s interest in pursuing tech careers. Using observational data from 84 recruiting information sessions hosted by technology companies at a prominent west coast university, we find that company representatives often engage in behaviors known to create a chilly environment for women. Through gender-imbalanced presenter roles, geek culture references, overt use of gender stereotypes, and other gendered speech and actions, representatives may inadvertently puncture the pipeline carrying women into technology careers.

Authors

• Alison Wynn, Stanford University

• Shelley J. Correll, Stanford University