Numerous studies in recent
years have documented and lamented a gender gap in science and
engineering. From elementary school through college, women's interest
in science steadily declines, and as adults, they are less likely to
pursue careers in science-related fields.
The author believes that a
large part of the problem is that young women are not given the true
picture of what a career in science entails. Furthermore they are not
given tools to deal with difficulties they might encounter. Women
also have a hard time in the workplace because they don't know the
real rules and what games are being played.
This is a humorous
guidebook on how to navigate the scientific culture. It begins by
laying out career options and the degrees required for each. The
author does not assume that a career as a professor at a research
university is the only acceptable option. The next chapter tells the
reader how to navigate through school and how to obtain a job. The
following chapters are all about politics and how to play hardball
with the big boys. Or how to avoid hardball, if that is your choice.
The first appendix contains
a wealth of information about how scientific funding is allocated.
This information is useful to any scientist. In the other two
appendices, results of a survey taken by over one hundred female
scientists are presented. Advice from these scientists are sprinkled
throughout the book.
