Opportunities and Challenges for Women Engineers in Industry.

There are real opportunities for women in engineering, reflecting demands created by the dramatic rate of change in society. Increasingly complex technology, fast response time, the demands of production and managerial positions, increased levels of education and sophistication of employees, shifts in motivational needs, and new organizational structures are all factors in the rapidly expanding need for engineers. Women provide a previously untapped resource but are in short supply. Women need to make changes in the areas of: goal setting, competition, and job application skills; men in adjustment to working, or more successful wives. Couples should prepare to resolve conflicts over relocation, travel, and the role of the working mother. Industry needs to change in the areas of: stereotyped attitudes, traditional social conditioning, application of motivational factors, minimizing separations from the industrial climate, participation in more co-op programs, flexibility toward married career couples, closer relationships with universities, and broadened career paths for women. There probably will not be enough qualified women engineers for opportunities existing in the 1970's. Dramatic change in industry and educational institutions must occur if we are to respond realistically to the tremendous opportunities for women engineers. (Author/NH)