According to a study by Catalyst, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of women in business, American corporations need to start marketing themselves to women scientists. The U.S. National Science Foundation reports that from 1975 to 1995, the percent of total science doctorates earned by women almost doubled -- from 16 to 31 percent. But according to Catalyst, these women are not aware of the wealth of job options for scientists in industry. Of the 30 top scientists interviewed for the study, 17 said they had little or no knowledge about job options in industrial science. And of the women who did work in the corporate world, about 1/3 of them said they were not recruited into the business -- rather they sought out opportunities in the corporate arena because they did not feel welcome in the academic world. Catalyst found that women were most attracted to careers in applied science and product development.

The study suggested that companies work harder to publicize career options for women scientists and reach out to women who are still in school. Catalyst also recommended that corporations looking to attract women scientists should consider sponsoring internship programs and fellowships for female graduate students; set up mentoring programs; provide funding for visiting lecturers, and invite academic scientists to work alongside their own industrial scientists.

Among the corporations who already have such programs are AT&T and Texas Instruments. The former launched its Graduate Fellowship Program, to benefit women and minorities, in 1975. The fellowship covers educational expenses, provides a stipend for living expenses, and organizes a mentoring program. Texas Instruments' Women's Professional Development Team, was created in 1994 to increase the number of women in the technical sector. The team holds annual diversity reviews of technical ladder statistics, provides technical training and sponsors mentoring workshops and conferences for women in the industry.