More than 40% of women with engineering degrees either never enter or leave the professsion, according to research by the National Science Foundation. Those who leave often cite hostile workplaces and lack of opportunity as their reasons.
5300 women were surveyed in the three-year study. 62% remain in their engineering careers but 11% never entered the field, 21% left more than five years ago, and 6% left less than five years ago. Of those who entered another industry around half became executives.
Researchers say this information is crucial in improving the retention of female engineers.
Read more at National Science Foundation