by Sameena Shah

The work environment in software companies is thoroughly professional. I have never faced or heard about any discrimination of this kind. I would say that nowadays software companies are the best place for women to work in. One is not required to run around, you can work from the comfort of an office or even your own home, and several companies offer flexible hours policy. I would say that the difference can be in this form: Generally when girls graduate the culture in our countries expects them to get married soon. Hence several of us are never able to put in as many hours in working and networking as our male counterparts. This may result in men progressing up the ladder faster. But on the other hand, the lack of women in senior positions has put pressure on senior management to promote better sex ratio for top positions; this makes it easier for motivated women to get promoted quickly :) Sameena.

by Jeanine Swatton

Hi Ashley, I'm so sorry to hear about your illness. Software engineering would be the perfect field for you giving you opportunities to work from home. For example, I have done contracting work on the side for iOS development and Web application development. Although some companies are outsourcing, they would prefer working with someone in the US then outsource the rest of the work overseas. I'm not familiar with other areas of engineering - but in the software sector this is definitely a possibility. Are you passionate about writing code and developing applications whether it be web applications using Ruby on Rails or iPhone/iPad applications using iOS? Remember, if the passion is not there, then it will be more challenging. I love writing code. I also love managing teams of engineers. In my opinion, when you write your first application (for example, an iPhone application), you code it, you build it and you see it run on an iPhone, it is such a great feeling thinking that Hey, I built that!. Feel free to contact me if you would like additional information. Many blessings to you! Kindest regards, Jeanine Swatton

by Judy Tamir

Dear Curious,

I don’t know what you need to do to get into schools like MIT or Stanford, but what I think is MORE important is what you do while you are at whatever college you get into. Getting into and graduating from MIT is not a free pass into the “life of your dreams”, but it probably does make the way a little easier. There are plenty of good engineering schools out there, so don’t be disappointed if you don’t get into one of the top 10.

What can you do now? Decide on something you’re interested in learning about and start to read about it. If you’re interested in designing a web application try creating a simple web application. If you’re interested in mobile apps, write an iPhone app. There are tutorials on the web (google can you help you find almost anything! Try “iphone app tutorial”) that can teach you how to write simple applications and many times the compilers you need are free if you’re a student. There’s nothing like practical experience to point out the things that interest you. If you’re interested in computer security, read about hacking and what needs to be done to prevent hackers from getting into a system. Choose a project, join a club at school, ask a teacher at your school to help you with a project, or even to suggest a project.

I don’t know if you need to be good at coding/programming NOW to get into a software engineering program at a university, but certainly, if you want to pursue a career in software engineering, you have to like to program. It’s a lot of fun when you can get things to work. This field is constantly presenting new challenges and changes and “paradigm shifts”. You’ll never be bored if you don’t want to be.

Bottom line: to make yourself a more attractive candidate for any university you need : good grades, good SAT/ACT scores and a background that shows that you are a person that likes to learn and achieve. Do as well as you can on your grades and SATs, and then get involved in all sorts of extracurricular activities. LOTS of them. Be active in them. But don’t just do it to make yourself attractive to colleges, do it because you want to learn and make yourself a better person.

Judy Tamir

by Egirl Team

Hi Airen,

An app like that is just waiting for someone with inginuity and the right know-how to design it.  If you have some ideas it would be worth looking into how to create it yourself.  Many engineers have started out by learning how to design apps.  Perhaps some of these apps may actually be similar to what you are thinking about:  http://oregonstate.edu/counsel/apps-downloads

by Egirl Team

Hi Sivashankari,

There are lots of things you can do, but mostly take the classes that will prepare you for college.  You might like this list of Classes to Take in High School.  Also check out the answers to the following similar questions to help you plan.  Good luck!

High School Classes for Software Engineering 

Do I have to be a super geek?

by Egirl Team

 Dear Akshay,

The results of your exam will have much to do with your next steps.  To become an engineer the first thing you will need to do is to get an engineering degree from an accredited institution.  You can use TryEngineering's University Finder to help you find a program in India.