Double Standard: How Women of Color Must Navigate in the Engineering Environment

Abstract

While engineering education continues work on broadening participation of TUM populations, this study demonstrates that substantial work must be done to support engineering students who happen to be WOC. With this study, we showed how WOC navigate the double standard of the engineering environment through the themes of microaggressions, engineering socialization, and isolation. The double standard forced WOC to adapt to an unwelcome environment and create systems around them for their own success that are not provided by the engineering education environment. This study opens the discussion for ways engineering colleges can better support WOC students through programs and initiatives that seek to understand and celebrate the unique experiences of WOC in engineering.