We conducted many interviews to see how students at Drew felt in their male or female dominated fields

• 1. What gender do you identify with?
  • The majority identified as female (17)
  • Fewer male respondents (11) 
  • At least one response indicated a non-binary identity (1)
    • This has implications for perspectives on representation and gender-based experience in various academic fields.

• 2. Are your classes filled with more men or women? Why do you think that is?
  • In STEM courses interviewees noted: Mostly male-dominated, often attributed to cultural or societal biases
  • In Health & Social Sciences interviewees noted: : Tend to be female-dominated (e.g., Psychology, Nursing)
  • Mixed courses: Some students note a balanced gender ratio, especially in general education classes

• Reasons for imbalance Provided:
  • Cultural conditioning
  • Historic trends
  • Gender stereotypes about careers

• 3. Is there stigma in your field?
  • Many answered Yes, especially in STEM and male-dominated fields:
    • Women are doubted or assumed to be less competent
    • Men may be stigmatized in feminine-associated careers (like nursing or psychology)
  • When asked about the future a few noted less stigma now, indicating positive cultural shifts

• 4. Do you foresee changes in the future?
  • Many interviewees were optimistic 
    • Many believe awareness and activism are improving the gender landscape
    • Some believe true equality is still a long way off
    • A few feel the change is already happening

• 5. Why did you choose this field? Reasons among interviewees included:
  • Passion or personal interest (e.g., helping people, curiosity, creativity)
  • Family influence or cultural background
  • Career potential and job security
  • Some acknowledged gender-neutral motivation, others felt gender played a role subconsciously

• 6. Does your gender affect your field choice?
  • There were many Mixed responses:
    • Many said "No", emphasizing their personal choice for joining the field
    • Others admitted that social or cultural factors shaped their interest or perceived accessibility
    • Some mentioned role models or pressure to "prove themselves" because of their identity

• 7. Are opposite-gender individuals encouraged or discouraged in your field?
  • Most say there is no outright discouragement
  • But there is often implicit bias:
    • Men in nursing or psychology may feel out of place
    • Women in CS or engineering face skepticism

• 8. What discourages non-dominant genders from joining your field?
  • Feeling like an outsider
  • Lack of representation or mentors
  • Gendered expectations or stereotypes
  • Fear of not being taken seriously
  • The classroom environment is dominated by the opposite gender

• 9. Have you seen gender discrimination in your field?
  • Several yes answers:
    • Especially in internships, labs, or high school experiences
    • Often subtle: less inclusion in group work, assumptions of ability
  • Others had not personally witnessed it, but had heard of it or acknowledged its likelihood

• 10. How has gender impacted your experience?
  • Many said "not much" or are neutral
  • Some said it made networking or group interactions easier or harder
  • A few felt they needed to prove themselves more
  • In feminine-dominated fields, male students sometimes felt more visible or even advantaged

• 11. Are you advantaged or disadvantaged because of your gender?
  • Neutral or case-by-case was the most common response
  • Some acknowledged: 
    • Disadvantages: Stereotyping, exclusion, lowered expectations
    • Advantages: More visibility, positive bias in some fields

• So the Key Takeaways:
  • Gender does influence academic experiences, but not always in overt ways
  • Students express awareness of imbalance and desire for change
  • Representation and role models matter a lot
  • Despite some challenges, most students remain optimistic and passionate