It's been my experience that the ladies on the team that don't want to be treated like they don't know anything just because they're a girl, usually don't know anything. They talk about how awesome they are and how much they know, and expect to get handed a big project. Of course half the guys go "ebuhdebudebuhdokay" and then someone else had to finish the project when crunch time comes. Then there are the ladies that show up, learn and work hard. They end up being treated like any member because they took the same path as everyone else.

You encounter the same problems with guys too. The new member forms should have a question that says:

I think I should immediately be a respected team member because I:
a)Am a blond fox
b)Race dirt bikes
c)Own a bitchin' Camero
d)No thanks, I'll learn and work hard like everyone else.

a, b, and c answers go it the "sweep the shop floor" pile.

Helen - should be an email on the way

Ben

quote:

Originally posted by js10coastr:
...just to brag, my formula hybrid team is almost 1/4 female

A 1/4 female ... but then you would have to work on a formula hybrid car... and you know how i know you're gay?

I have been involved in FSAE for 4 years now, our team usually has a few girls, mostly doing business/management stuff. I myself do mostly that kind of stuff and am doing my thesis on project management, but this is because it is what i want to do, not because i can't do design, I helped with chassis and composites in my first few years and do help with assembly/build when I can. however we also have a chick on our team this year who is basicaly head of the engine team (long story), she is brilliant. None of us UQ girls have ever had a problem with sexism or anything, we are all just team mates working on an awesome project!

How can you get more girls on the team?! I am so grateful to have two other girls around and wish there were more to help even things out. Is it just because girls aren't into this kind of thing? Have any teams actively tried to recruit females (to the team..) or did they just come by their own accord?

We had a couple of girls interested at each of our showing events, but most of them don't follow through. I think it is the combination of two factors.. one being the low number of female engineering students, two being the relatively low number of girls into cars. Having those two factors line up with all the other things that make a team member (dedication, knowledge, willingness to learn, passion, etc etc) makes it hard to find girls on the team.

Our only female member had to leave the team for the spring semester. She was our secretary and took care of a lot of things; ESPECIALLY helpful when I'd forget things or do them in the wrong order..

There is a decent amount of girls curious about motorpsorts but it usually all ends with just curiosity.I almost did the same thing...imagine the first time i walked in to a team meeting...all guys and they all knew each other...now i know they where as scared of me as i was of them,but back then they just looked like a bunch of friends having a good time not wanting to be interrupted... then came the getting hit on...that usually ends in 2-3 attempts and life in the shops goes back to building a car...all this being said there were 2 of us on the team last year...the other chick was a moron so she got kicked off...and i was one of the co-captains...conclusion:just try to be welcoming to anyone trying to join in the first place and also keep in mind most girls haven't worked on their cars growing up (we like barbies)so it might be a bit harder for us to understand when you ask for a part we have absolutely no clue what it is...

not all girls like barbies...

I completely agree with Klementina - girls rarely have grown up with working on cars, and they join the team because they are interested in learning, just like I was.

I have been on our team for 3 years now, and after this year will have been on the team longer than anyone ever has in our Uni. It was very difficult and intimidating at first (especially coming in as a first year), but once you are around guys all the time, you get used to it.

I accept I have to put up with a fair amount of abuse, but it's only because they have no other female to tease! If anything it just makes you stronger, and you just have to laugh at some guys who are ignorant and threatened by girls who will prove to be better than them!

They're not all bad though!

quote:

Originally posted by lwontrop:
not all girls like barbies...

i liked barbies...and i was team captain last year...