The Arthur Andersen survey "Bringing Girls Into Corporate America" -- which polled 500 girls and 150 boys between the ages of 15 and 18 -- shows what many girls think about corporate America, career aspirations, computer usage, role models and the definitions of success and leadership.

"It's clear from the survey findings that large corporations need to brush up their image when it comes to enticing young females to work for them," said Karen Kurek, partner-in-charge of the Growth and Retention of Women initiative at Arthur Andersen. GROW, which was established in 1998, is a national program that focuses on improving the recruitment and retention of women in leadership paths via networking, work-life integration and other activities.

According to the survey, girls often cite medicine or health services (17 percent ), education (10 percent) and fine arts (10 percent) as likely college majors. Boys, on the other hand, look to computer science (20 percent) and law (9 percent).

Most girls opt for careers in small business and public service because they associate them with happiness and independence, the survey said, which is more important to them than the economic benefits that often come with a corporate job.

And even though both boys and girls agree that computer knowledge is vital for future employment, boys are five times more likely than girls to choose computer science or computer engineering majors in school, the survey found. However, girls are just as likely as boys to enroll in computer classes in school.

The adage "money isn't everything" seems to ring true among teens who said that to them success means being happy, having the respect of family and friends and having a happy family life. Landing a good job, making money and having power ranked the lowest.

Leadership is apparently high on the list for both boys and girls. Eighty-seven percent of girls said it is very important for themselves to be leaders when they get older and 80 percent of boys agreed.

And 92 percent of girls think it is important to see women role models in business.

-- SmartPros News Staff

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