Dive Brief:

• A recent CNN article highlighted a 2014 National Science Foundation study, which found a significant drop in women choosing to study computer science over the last 30 years.

• Nearly 40% of computer science majors in 1984 were female, according to the study. Today, that number has dipped to 18%.

• In addition, according to Stanford University studies, 56% of women in computer science leave their organizations at midlevel points in their careers.

Dive Insight:

Jennifer Koebele, a writer who specializes in research on higher education and technology, told CNN, "Even with the number of computer science jobs increasing, the number of women pursuing careers in computer science is falling."

One potential reason behind the decline is that the typical male-centric field may not be viewed as particularly welcoming to women, Koebele noted.

To combat this trend, many colleges and universities are partnering with corporations to attract more women and girls to the field, as well as offering scholarships for women interested in pursuing a career in computer science.