FOX 21 News, KQDS-DT

We take you to the College of St. Scholastica, where women are getting the support and encouragement to study in male–dominated fields.

Kelsey Nelson, 19, knows the stereotypes she faces as a computer science major.
"Girls are into English and the arts, and guys are in the science and the math," Nelson said.
Sarah Eastvold, 23, studies the same line of work as Nelson, and feels the same hesitations.

"Since it is such a male–dominated career, it's kind of scary," Eastvold said.

But these young women from C.S.S. are being encouraged and fully supported to make it in a so–called man's world.

"We have one of the highest percentages of women in our computing programs," said Jennifer Rosato, an assistant professor at the college, and the director of a scholarship program called, Increasing Women in Information Technology.
It's designed to attract and provide a platform for women in the computer science field.

"It's not about working in a cubical all by yourself all day long. It's a very creative field where you are constantly challenged to come up with new solutions to problems. It's a field that relies a lot on communication," Rosato said.

For Nelson and Eastvold, the scholarship program, which includes mentors from women currently working in computer science, is giving them the boost needed to push through any stereotypes they face with the end result of a job after graduation.

"You may still be nervous for the interview, just like everybody else, but maybe you won't be lacking in the confidence because I'm a girl in technology – not really a common thing," Nelson said.

"You really, as a woman, have to lean forward into it to really put yourself out there," Eastvold said.