Um estudo de caso sobre fatores que influenciam mulheres do ensino médio-técnico em computação a seguir carreira na área.

Abstract

It is known that the number of women in the field of Computing in Brazil remains low, whereas the number of female students enrolled in Technical High School programs in Informatics presents a smaller gender imbalance. In this context, the objective of the research herein described was to analyze, through a case study conducted at the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraíba (IFPB), the factors that positively or negatively influence these students to remain in the field, whether in the professional context or in higher education in Computing. The study sought to understand these factors and to identify areas for action aimed at increasing women’s engagement in the field. For this purpose, an initial analysis was carried out on enrollment, dropout, and completion rates, at the national level, for two Technical High School programs: the Technical Program in Computer Maintenance and Support, and the Technical Program in Informatics, covering the period from 2017 to 2021. Subsequently, the case study was conducted using a quantitative and qualitative approach, through an electronic questionnaire. Based on the results obtained from these instruments, the participants’ profiles were identified, as well as their self-efficacy regarding aspects, such as confidence in choosing a higher education course, confidence in making decisions in general, among others. In addition, the study identified possible positive and negative factors influencing the students to pursue the field of Computing, whether professionally or in higher education, as well as actions that may contribute to fostering the permanence of women in this field. The research involved 34 participants from the Technical High School Program in Informatics at IFPB, Campina Grande campus. As results of the research, it was possible to identify that the main positive factors for remaining in Computing were good salary prospects, professional opportunities and the job market, the relationship with other professions, and the connection with the Technical High School Program in Informatics. The main negative factors identified were the difficulties encountered during the course, lack of interest in the field, and the high level of competition for university admission. Future studies are proposed to analyze teachers’ perspectives on the career development process, to expand this analysis to include students and teachers from Technical High School programs in Informatics at other institutions (public and private), to conduct a more in-depth exploration of the collected data and its possible correlations, and to analyze students and teachers from post-secondary Informatics programs with regard to this topi