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University of Queensland Papers
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
VOLUME I.
1959
NUMBER 1
The Vocational Contributions of Women
Graduates of The University
of Queensland
BY
Meg. W. RORKE, B.A., Dip.Phys.Ed.
RESEARCH STUDY No. 6
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1959
THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND PRESS
BRISBANE
18th MAY, 1959
3 4067 03174 6174
FACULTY OF EDUCATION
RESEARCH STUDY No. (>
Vol. 1
mm
No. I
T h e Vocational Contributions of W o m e n Graduates o f
T h e University of Queensland
BY
Meg. W. RORKl-:
I wish to express mj- grateful appreciation to Professor F. J. Sclionell, Dean of
the Faculty of Education, and to Dr. I. G. Meddleton, Senior Lecturer in I-^ducation,
for their assistance and advice in planning and writing this study.
—-Al.W.K.
T H E U N I V E R S I T Y OF g U E E N S L A N l ) P R E S S
BRISBANE
18th M.\Y, ig.-i!)
^,&li
Wholly set np and printed in Australia by
WATSON, FERGUSON and COMPANY
Brisbane, Q.
1959
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
Introduction.
2. Methods of Procedure.
3.
Women Graduates and their Employment.
4.
Incidental Contributions to the Community.
5.
General Comments and Suggestions.
6. Summary and Implications.
7. Appendix A.
Appendix B.
The Vocational Contributions of Women
Graduates of The University of Queensland
1.
INTRODUCTION
At the International Federal University Women's Council meeting held at
P.erne, Switzerland, in August 1955 it was resolved that,
"an enquiry should be undertaken on the use made by women of
their University degrees".
As a result of this resolution the Australian Federation of University Women
proceeded to examine the possibility of undertaking such an enquiry in Australia.
A pilot study was conducted among women graduates of the University of
Melbourne.! The results of this study were presented at the International Federation
of University Women's Conference in Paris in 1956. The investigation involved an
unrepresentative sample of women graduates but it made a definite contribution
by revealing possible areas in which women graduates might make further significant
contributions to the community. Following a suggestion made by the Austrahan
Federation of University Women, the Research Section of the Department of
Education of the University of Queensland undertook to make a survey of how
women graduates from the University of Queensland had used the knowledge and
professional training obtained from their degree courses.
Our main purpose was to survey the contributions of women who graduated
from the University of Queensland from the first year of graduation, 1914, up to
and including those receiving their degrees in May 1955.
The investigation was planned to give information on these matters:
(a) to what extent women graduates have been employed in professional fields;
(6) to what extent women graduates have been employed after
marriage;
(c) to what extent women graduates have found restrictions in employment opportunities;
{d) what contributions other than those made through regular employment are provided by women graduates.
' " W h a t do Women Graduates do with their Degrees ?"
of Melbourne, 19.")6.
2.
Y. Aitken and J. Tulley, I'nivcrsitr
METHODS OF PROCEDURE
A. The Questionnaire
A preliminary investigation showed that the women graduates from whom
we were to gather our information were scattered throughout Queensland and the
other States of the Commonwealth. Others were either travelling, or had taken
up residence, abroad.
The only technique available for our purpose was to compile a suitable
questionnaire covering purely factual information concerning degree attainments,
marital status, places of residence and employment. Apart from these matters,
the questionnaire was designed also to assess attitudes and opinions of women
graduates concerning their vocational opportunities.
6
Meg. W. RORKE
Questions which sought information concerning reasons for leaving employment, and exclusion from permanent employment because of marital status, were
included. These questions were designed to yield information about career avenues
which might be restricted for women graduates, and also any available evidence of
occupational discrimination against women. Information was sought also about
ways in which University training might have been more effectively utilized. It
was decided to obtain information about activities and contributions made by
women graduates, and so they were invited to give details of research projects,
publications, voluntary social work, committee work.
A copy of the questionnaire was forwarded to every woman who had graduated
from the University of Queensland between the years 1914 and 1955 inclusive,
for whom a postal address was available. Each questionnaire was sent with a
stamped addressed envelope and covering letter which indicated the general purpose
of the survey.
B.
The S a m p l e
(i) Percentage of Response
From a population of 984 women graduates, 611 completed questionnaires
were returned and examined. This represented 62.1 per cent, of our sample. There
were an additional 315 women graduates from the University of Queensland whose
addresses were unavailable. The percentage of responses from the total population
of women graduates was 47.0.
In the treatment of the material, the sample was divided into four
chronological groups. This was done to eliminate any possible effect that economic
factors at the time of graduation might have had on responses to the questions.
The four groups are as follows:
Group A represents graduates of the years 1914 to 1929 inclusive
(includes World War I).
Group B represents those who graduated in the years 1930 to 1939
inclusive (includes Depression Years).
Group C includes graduates of the years 1940 to 1949 inclusive (includes
World War II).
Group D includes those who graduated in the period 1950 to 1955
inclusive.
The following summary shows the percentage of completed questionnaires
received within the four chronological groups:
Group
Group
Group
Group
A 1914-1929
B 1930-1939
C 1940-1949
D 1950-1955
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
No.
133
115
162
201
Total No.
..
,.
611
Per cent, of Graduates
in this group
46.5
43.9
43.6
53.0
47.0 of total population
of women graduates.
These percentages indicate t h a t the sample is not biassed in respect of any
one particular group.
THE VOCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN GRADUATES
(ii) Geographical Distribution
TABLE I
Geographical Distribution of S a m p l e
Area
Queensland
New South Wales
Victoria . .
South AustraHa
West Australia
Tasmania
Northern Territory
Abroad . .
Total No
Total
Urban and Rural
City
311
45
24
0
1
5
0
27
165
18
9
5
0
0
1
0
413
198
476
63
33
5
1
5
1
27
611
At the time of answering the questionnaire, 311 of the 476 graduates who
lived in Queensland were resident in the Greater Brisbane area. This represents
65.3 per cent.—a figure which is significantly greater than the proportion (40.1
per cent.) of the total Queensland female population resident in the metropolitan
Similarly graduates resident in other States of Australia and abroad are
concentrated in city areas.
These figures suggest that women with University degree qualifications tend
to reside in the metropolitan area, where there may well be more occupational
opportunities to fit their needs.
T A B L E II
Faculty of First Graduation
Date of Graduation
Faculty
1914-1929
N
%
T
Arts . .
103
Science
30
Engineering . .
Commerce,
Economics . .
Agriculture
Law
Dentistry
Veterinary
Science
Medicine
Applied
Science
Architecture . .
Total
133
77.4 235
22.6 51
1930-1939
N
%
T
1940-1949
N
o/o
T
88
24
76.5 212
20.9 41
96
40
4
2
2.5
1.2
3
1
3
1
4
4
2.5
8
12
2
11
9.9
1
34
2.6
16
286 115
262 162
1950-1955
N
T
/o
59.3 230 107
24.7 84 47
1
53.2 201 394
23.4 84 141
.5
1
1
10
1
5.0
.5
9
4.5
15
3
1
17
16
8.0
3
36
9
1
4.5
.5
17
1
372 201
N
Total
%
T
64.5 878
23.1 260
.16
1
14
3
2.3
.5
16
2.6
24
8
4
32
32
5.2
4
70
9
1
1.5
.2
17
1
379 611
1299
" N " indicates the number of women graduates in the sample.
" T " indicates total number of women graduates for each group and for each faculty.
(iii) Distribution by Primary Degrees
Table II shows:
{a) the total number of women graduating during the period 1914
to 1955 inclusive and the faculty of their first graduation;
[b) the faculty distribution of the 611 graduates studied in this survey.
I
Meg. W. RORKE
Certain interesting trends are apparent. The first of these is the concentration of the graduates of Group A period into the two faculties of Arts and Science,
virtually the only degrees available then, and it has been considered worthwhile
to summarize separately the trends in these two faculties for the forty years covered
by the survey.
P e r c e n t a g e s of Arts and Science G r a d u a t e s
Group
A
B
C
D
(1914-1929)
(1930-1939)
(1940-1949)
(1950-1955)
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Percentage of Total
Women Graduates
Arts
Science
82.2
17.8
80.9
15.7
61.8
22.6
53.0
22.2
Percentage of
Sample
Arts
Science
77.4
22.6
76.5
20.9
59.3
24.7
53.2
23.4
The definite bias in favour of the Arts faculty among women graduates from
Groups A and B is probably due to the fact t h a t professions other than teaching
were not readily open to women at that time. Further, certain courses were not
available during this early period.
By reason of changing social and economic conditions women have been
accepted into wider spheres of professional employment and this trend is particularly
apparent when we consider graduates of Group D period, in which there are women
graduating from every faculty of the University. In some cases also, a Bachelor's
degree in Law has been indicated as a subsequent graduation, usually following a
primary Arts degree. By the 1950-1955 period then, only 53 per cent, of the total
group are Arts graduates.
I t will be noted that Science is still attracting about the same proportion of
women among the graduates of the 1950-1955 period as it did in the 1914-1929
period. In view of the need for more women to enter scientific and technological
fields this is extremely disappointing and is in marked contrast to what is happening
in other countries. At the same time, it is obvious t h a t the interests of women
are spreading into the fields of Commerce, Medicine, Dentistry and other faculties
which women have not readily entered hitherto.
There is a need to encourage more women to take science courses. This is.
related to better science facilities and more science teachers in secondary schools.
It has been estimated t h a t Austrahan schools will need an annual intake of 450mathematics and science teachers over the next few years if adequate standards
of teaching these subjects are to be reached. But at present the total output of
science graduates from Australian Universities for all purposes—less than 400
annually—cannot satisfy more than a fraction of the demand for teachers.^
Authorities may well consider modifications of University
to train women so that they may contribute to the development
an advanced technological age. In Russia, approximately half
enrolled in scientific and technological courses are women, and a
of Russian doctors also are women.
Science courses
of the nation in
of the students
large percentage
(iv) Further Degrees
The information concerning those women graduates in the group studied who
have taken post-graduate courses of various kinds has been summarised. A total
©f 162 graduates, representing 26.5 per cent, of the whole group, have continued
their studies and obtained further qualifications. The largest percentage of these
women (8.67 per cent.) have done post-graduate courses in the faculty of Education.
'Australian Academy of Science; Scientific and Technological Manpower Supply and Demand!
in Austraha, September, 1957.
THE VOCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN GRADUATES
9
In this group are included those who have completed a Master's or a Bachelor's
Degree in Education or a Diploma of Education, with the majority being in Group
D (1950-1955) and having completed the Diploma course for the training of secondary
school teachers.
There are 47 graduates who have pursued their studies in a different field to
the one in which they first graduated. Of these, 34 hold a primary degree in Arts.
This may indicate that, for the group studied, more graduates have found a primary
degree in the faculty of Arts of itself insufficient to fit them for the kind of occupation
they wished to enter. Qualifications subsequently gained by this group of Arts
graduates are spread over eight different fields. Approximately one-third of the
group have entered the field of library work and have completed Library Association
Examinations since their first graduation. Fourteen have gained additional qualifications in Music and Art of Speech and the training of the deaf, four have entered
the field of social work training, three have taken a degree in Science, two in Law
and one in Medicine.
Three areas of post-graduate study have been entered by eight women whose
primary degree was in the faculty of Science. Four have furthered their studies
by taking a degree in Medicine, two have taken Arts degrees and two have completed
the requirements for the Diploma of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Five graduates
of the Faculty of Commerce have subsequently entered three areas of post-graduate
study. Two have studied Accountancy, two have taken Arts degrees and one has
completed the course for the Diploma of Social Studies.
3. WOMEN GRADUATES AND THEIR EMPLOYMENT
This section of the study is devoted to an analysis of the fields of employment
which have been entered by women graduates in the sample. There is some
discussion of the distribution of the sample into the major occupational areas and
of the emplojmient of women graduates in relation to their marital status and the
age of their children. Restricted occupational areas and fields in which discrimination against women has been encountered are also discussed.
(i) Types of Employment Entered
A summary is presented in Table III of the numbers and percentages
of the respondents from each age group in the major occupational fields which
women graduates have entered.
Of the total group studied, 95 per cent, have been employed at various
times. Eight women graduates, 4 per cent, of the group from 1950-1955 inclusive,
have never been employed, contrasted with eleven, or 2.8 per cent., of the groups
1914-1949 combined.
(ii) Married Women Graduates
There were 100 married or widowed women graduates engaged in full or
part-time work in 1957, out of a total of 328 married women who replied to the
questionnaire. This figure represents 30.5 per cent, of the married group and is
a very useful contribution to community effort at a high level.
The distribution of married women who are employed is as follows:
Category
Full-time work
Part-time work
1914-1929
. . . .
21
4
1930-1939
. . . .
15
5
1940-1949
. . . .
2L
8
1950-1955
. . . .
20
6
•?f
23
Meg. W. RORKE
10
T A B L E III
Occupations of W o m e n Graduates in 1957
Group A
1914-1929
Group B
1930-1939
Group C
1940-1949
Group D
1950-1955
N
0/
N
/o
N
0/
N
119
2
1
93
4
2
1
80.9
3.5
1.7
.9
1
.8
39.8
26.8
9.0
4.5
.5
8.5
5.0
.8
2.6
1.7
80
54
18
9
1
17
10
1
3
2
76
28
19
6
5
16
3
/o
46.9
17.3
11.7
3.7
3.1
9.9
1.9
/o
Teaching . .
Researcli . .
Clerical
Library
Social Work
Medicine . .
Dentistry . .
Law
Journalism
Engineering
Architecture
Miscellaneous*
Never Employed
Not Indicated
/o
89.5
1.5
.8
1
1
1
1
8
.5
.5
.5
.5
4.0
N for Group
133
Occupation
1
2
6
.8
1.5
4.5
4
5
1
115
3.5
4.3
.9
3
4
2
162
1.9
2.5
1.2
201
*This category includes pharmacy, part-time correction of Public Examination papers,
and part-time coaching.
(iii)
Distribution
The women graduates of Group A (1914-1929) were employed in five major
occupational areas with the majority of these, 85.9 per cent., being engaged in the
teaching profession. For Group B (1930-1939) six different types of employment
have been entered, with the majority, 80.9 per cent., still concentrated in the
teaching profession. In Group C (1940-1949) there is a further expansion into
seven areas and in Group D (1950-1955) this expansion reaches its peak with t h e
entry of women graduates into ten different occupational fields. In each of the
Groups C and D, less than fifty per cent, of the women graduates have been teachers.
(iv) Changing Patterns in
Employment
The proportion of women graduates engaged in the vocation of teaching has
decreased considerably over the four chronological groups studied in this survey.
Over 90 per cent, of the teachers who replied to our questionnaire are graduates
from the faculty of Arts and the remainder are Science graduates.
Since fewer women graduates have entered the teaching profession in recent
years, it is only to be expected that there will be increased participation in other
fields. Since 1914 there has been a remarkable increase in the percentage of women
graduates who have been engaged in research work.
Percentage
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
of R e s e a r c h Workers
(1914-1929), 1.5.
(1930-1939), 3.5.
(1940-1949), 17.4.
(1950-1955), 26.7.
The rapid increase in the proportion of women who have chosen work in
laboratory and research fields since 1940 is important. Increased activity of women
in work of this kind, coinciding as it does with the onset of World War I I , illustrates
one aspect of the fundamental changes produced by the social and economic
structure of wartime.
THE VOCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN GRADUATES
11
The participation of women graduates in this survey in work of a clerical
and secretarial nature fluctuates over the four periods studied.
Although more women were engaged in this type of work during the 19401949 period when women frequently replaced male clerks in civiHan occupations,
clerical work has attracted a very small percentage of the total group.
Many of the trends indicated in this survey follow, as one would expect,
patterns which are apparent in the community itself. For example, with new
opportunities occurring in the field of Hbrary work as city, suburban and country
library facilities expand, we find an increasing percentage of women graduates who
enter this occupational area. A similar trend is apparent in Medicine, which in
its expanding activities has provided more and more suitable opportunities for
women in various aspects of medical work. The same may be said of Dentistry
and of other occupational areas such as Engineering, which were not entered by
women prior to the period 1930-1939.
(v) Time of Employment
in Relation to Marital Status and Ages of Children
(a) Group ^—1914-1929
Information from the questionnaire shows t h a t married women in this
category have found it possible to combine home duties and employment when
their children have passed the primary school stage. In the majority of cases
children were over thirteen years old when their mothers entered employment;
only one of this group of married women undertook employment when her children
were less than thirteen years of age.
(b) Group S—1930-1939
Replies from this group indicate that these married women have undertaken
employment while their children are younger than the children of Group A graduates.
The youngest child recorded for the employed women of this period is four years
of age.
(c) Group C—1940-1949
The tendency for married women to undertake employment while their
children are younger than those of Groups A and B is shown by replies which
indicate t h a t the youngest child of this group of working mothers is an infant.
In only two cases are there children over eighteen years of age.
(d) GroM/> Z)—1950-1955
In this group where there is the largest percentage of employed married
graduates, there are only seven who have children and of these, the youngest
mentioned is an infant.
The summary presented above shows that, since the beginning of World
War II, married women graduates from Groups B, C and D have undertaken full
or part-time employment while their children were of pre-school age. The majority
of the graduates of Group A did not enter employment until their children were
in secondary schools, but analysis of the dates of employment shows that, for most
of this group also, entry to employment coincides with the period of the Second
World Wa.r. It seems, therefore, that the economic factors of war-time created
shortages in the teaching and other professions which married women graduates
were able to meet, and which they have continued to fill in the post-war years.
(vi) Restricted Areas of
Employment
Analysis of additional comments concerning emplojrment indicates t h a t the
scope for women graduates in some occupational fields is limited.
12
Meg. W. RORKE
Approximately 15 per cent, commented on the existence of only occasional
worthwhile opportunities for women graduates and inadequate remuneration in
commerce. Typical comments from the questionnaires are:
" I was discouraged by unsuccessful attempts to find employment in
private enterprise."
"As an employee in a Government Department little use of my degree
qualifications could be made. My status as a graduate did not make any
difference in salary."
(vii) Areas of
Discrimination
Nearly 19 per cent, of the women graduates in Medicine and Dentistry have
made additional comments concerning their employment in these areas. Statements
relating to discrimination against women in these two professions account for 14.6
per cent, of the additional comments they have made. Typical comments are:
"Women are not given what are regarded as the most useful resident
medical officer posts in some hospitals."
"Salary discrimination against women in PubHc Service Medical
Departments is disappointing."
"There is little chance of a female appointment as resident or registrar
in Obstetrics or Gynaecology to some Women's Hospitals."
Women dentists have also found that discrimination exists against their
employment in Pubhc Service Departments, and that it is sometimes difficult for
women to find employment in this field, unless they are able to enter private practice.
The 12.6 per cent, who criticize the Pubhc Service Departments and
Universities also for their policy concerning married women seem to have some
justification for their complaints. Resignation from the Pubhc Service is compulsory on marriage and in some cases among the women graduates in this survey
marriage has necessitated resignation from University posts, or alternatively,
demotion to a position carrying less seniority.
A small group of 22 women graduates, representing 11.7 per cent, of those
who have made additional comments concerning employment, has experienced
discrimination against women in clerical occupational areas. Instances are cited
where men have been preferred before women for promotion to positions of
responsibility and seniority.
A group of 11.2 per cent, of the women graduates who have encountered
difficulties concerning employment feel that there should be some revision of the
Education Department's policy that employment in a temporary capacity is the
only possibility for a married woman in the State schools. A group of 11.2 per
cent, of women graduates who have encountered difficulties concerning employment,
feel that there should be some revision of the policies of State Education Departments which give employment to married women only in a temporary capacity.
4.
A.
INCIDENTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY
Academic
Approximately 20 per cent, of graduates have made hterary contributions
ranging on the one hand from press articles and reports in learned journals and
periodicals to text books, with a small group of graduates who have published
novels, plays, poetry and short stories.
IJ
THE VOCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF \\T).\11',X C^RADUA'lES
B.
Social
A large number of women graduates claim that a University education has
helped them to become more active members of society, and a glance at Table IV
shows t h a t a great m a n y of them have taken part in a wide variety of activities
and have been associated with numerous movements and organisations.
More contributions have been made in the areas of social services and civic
organisations t h a n in any other field of voluntary work.
TABLE IV
Membership of Societies and Organisations; Voluntary Work Undertaken
N
Organisation
Professional Associations
Cultural Associations . .
International Clubs
Educational Societies
..
..
Political Groups
Religious Societies
Local and Community Clubs
Sports Clubs
Mothers' Clubs
..
..
..
Voluntary War Work
Social Services and Civic Organisations:
(i) Health
(ii) Relief and Welfare . .
..
(iii) Women
(iv) Children
..
..
,,
..
••
>i >
..
..
,*
104
151
98
48
12
83
112
29
33
48
7
83
36
26
Per cent.
11.9
17.3
11.2
5.5
1.4
9.5
12.8
3.3
3.8
5.5
.8-)
9.5 (_17.4
4.1 f
3.0j
Total N = 870.
5.
GENERAL C O M M E N T S A N D S U G G E S T I O N S
This section of the report deals with additional comments made by the women
graduates in the sample concerning their training and the utilization of their
qualifications.
A.
Guidance
The need for vocational guidance at school and at the University has been
stressed by 19.0 per cent, of the employed women graduates in this study. It has
been suggested that more information concerning careers for girls should be available
to pupils in secondary schools. Emphasis has been also laid on the desirability of
more information at the University concerning the various avenues in which an
Arts degree could be utilized. Some felt that an active Appointments Board of
the kind that functions within the University of Melbourne would meet the needs
of Queensland graduates also; or, alternatively, an Advisory Employment Officer
who would be familiar with the requirements for various fields of employment.
Others suggest t h a t a closer contact between the University and employers of
graduates could be maintained with advantages to both.
B.
Refresher Courses
Many of the women graduates of the period prior to the introduction of the
full-time Diploma of Education course have expressed the view that they feel t h a t
the fact t h a t they have not had the opportunity to take such a course has been a
disadvantage to them and some have suggested t h a t more refresher courses,
especially vacation courses involving discussions on new methods and modern
developments at the secondary level, would be of particular assistance to all teachers
14
Meg. \V. RORKE
in secondary schools. There is considerable satisfaction expressed by those teachers
who have attended vacation schools sponsored by departments within the University,
and the need for the continuance of these short courses is emphasised.
In view of the number of women graduates who have expressed the need
for short refresher courses in teaching techniques, the Universities may well give
consideration to the provision of such courses for married women who return to
secondary teaching. Many married women graduates find now that there are
expanding opportunities for teaching, and a short course, providing basic teaching
methods in two or three related subjects would be of great value. It would be
possible, after completing such a course, for married women graduates to make a
worthwhile contribution to teaching, particularly at the secondary school level.
A further avenue of employment for married women with degrees is in the
field of education of migrants. Many of the married women who rephed to our
questionnaire have suitable qualifications which could be utilised in the teaching
of English to New Austrahans.
C. Extension of Financial Assistance
The majority of comments concerning employment came from women who
have graduated from the Faculty of Arts. It is felt by 14.5 per cent, of the women
in this group that an Arts degree does not provide specific training for any particular
career, but that it equips a graduate with a valuable broad cultural training on
which to base the specific qualifications necessary for the chosen career. For the
teaching profession which attracts the majority of Arts graduates, it is desirable
that a further year's study be undertaken to gain the Diploma of Education. For
other types of employment which are available to the Arts graduate—clerical work
and accountancy, library work, journalism, social work, and so on—specialisation
on the particular field chosen is necessary after graduation. This means that for
the Arts graduate and to a lesser degree for the graduate in Commerce and Economics
the three year University course is frequently only part of their training. The
salary such women graduates can command while they are doing post-graduate
specialised study is often only slightly in advance of that received by a non-graduate.
This seems to suggest that there should be either more liberal provision of postgraduate scholarships or opportunities to extend Commonwealth Scholarships for
those wishing to qualify for vocations which require training in excess of their first
degree course. This provision already obtains for those desirous of completing
the Dip. Ed., the B.Ed, or the Diploma in Social Studies. The establishment in
1959 of 100 Commonwealth Post-graduate Awards is a most welcome move.
D.
Social Attitudes and Employment
Some of the increased activity of women in scientific fields is undoubtedly
an outcome of World War II during which women practised their skills, almost for
the first time, in occupations from which they had hitherto been excluded, on a
basis of equality with men.
It is probable also that the increase in the proportion of women entering
administrative fields over the last fifteen years is largely due to changing social
attitudes. The woman Arts graduate who finds employment in this field may have
opportunities of promotion to an executive position. A few have found the
occa.sional openings which exist for parUamentary secretaries, secretaries to Cabinet
Ministers and to executives of large business organisations. Such positions, of course,
have required speciahsation in the work of particular departments and additional
quahfications in public administration or stenotyping or accountancy.
THE VOCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN GRADUATES
IS
While an increasing percentage of women graduates is entering occupational
areas previously unexplored by women, in recent years fewer women educated to
the tertiary level are entering the teaching profession than formerly, and the supply
is unable to meet the demand for secondary school teachers. The reasons for this
do not appear to be emoluments, since in research work and laboratories salaries
are generally lower than in the teaching profession, and worthwhile opportunities
are less frequent.
To meet the need for secondary school teachers in our schools there is surely
a case for the employment, either in a full- or a part-time capacity, of more
graduate wives.
E.
Higher Education and Employment
An analysis of the career avenues followed by the women graduates who
replied to the questionnaire shows quite clearly that pass degree qualifications in
the various faculties permit direct entry into some professional fields, but that for
some occupations additional qualifications are desirable, and even necessary.
The enquiry reveals that in past years the graduate in Arts has found
employment readily in the teaching profession, sometimes at the primary level
but more especially in secondary schools. The trend over the last six years shows
that it is becoming increasingly necessary for those who hold a degree to extend
their studies by a post-graduate year to gain the Diploma of Education before
entering the teaching profession in secondary schools. This is illustrated by the
percentage (5.1) of women who graduated between the years 1914 and 1949 who
have completed post-graduate Diploma in Education, and the significantly larger
percentage, 35 per cent., who have completed this course during the years from
1950 to 1955. This difference will partly be due to the fact that many graduates
from the earlier period were already teaching before the Diploma course was
introduced in 1937, and partly because of the increased importance attached to
this training after the establishment of the Faculty of Education in 1950. There
is a growing tendency for preparation for teaching at the secondary level to become
a four-year course, of which the final year is spent in practical training and specialised
study.
This survey shows that the Arts degree may be regarded as only the first stage
in the training for some other profession. It has been used as a preliminary for
library work, secretarial work, journalism, law and has also been combined with
qualifications in music and speech training. This is indicative of the greater
opportunities offering to women who graduate in this faculty, but also indicates
that for many women graduates an Arts degree of itself is not sufficient qualification
for entry into certain avenues of employment which attract women. Replies to the
questionnaire show that there are many women graduates in Arts who have
combined full-time employment with part-time study to gain the additional
qualifications necessary for their chosen professions.
The survey indicates that direct entry into a professional field is more readily
possible with pass degree qualifications in faculties other than Arts, although for
specialised work higher degrees and additional quahfications are necessary. Except
in the faculty of Arts, however, further qualifications are obtained within the faculty
of first graduation. In the scientific field, for example, the bachelor degree is
frequently used as a basis for the higher degree required by research organisations.
Implicit in such requirements is the fact that the primary degree has been taken
with honours.
The time has obviously come for the provision of more financial assistance
at the post-graduate level. At present there is a relatively small trickle of post-
16
Meg. W. RORKE
graduate scliolarshij)s and fellowships, but if the Commonwealth and the States
wish to make the best use of the talent available at the graduate level, then the
recent Commonwealth Post-graduate Awards should provide adequate opportunities
for women graduates to take out post-graduate qualifications.
6.
A.
SUMMARY AND IMPLICATIONS
Summary
1. In the investigations it was decided to survey the vocational contributions
of women graduates of the University of Queensland. Questionnaires were sent
with a covering letter to indicate the general purpose of the study, to 984 women
graduates, and 611 graduates replied. This represented 62.1 per cent, of the sample.
2. Of the 476 graduates who live in Queensland, 311 are resident in the
metropohtan area. Approximately 35 per cent, of the total group are hving in
other States and overseas.
3. To show the development of trends in regard to the nature of the graduate
course and of the later contributions made by the graduates, the completed
questionnaires were divided as follows:—
Group A represents graduates from 1914 to 1929 inclusive.
Group B represents those who graduated between 1930 and 1939 inclusive.
Group C includes graduates of the years 1940 to 1949 inclusive.
Group D includes those who graduated in the period 1950 to 1955 inclusive.
4. The percentage of completed questionnaires received within the four
chronological groups is shown below:
Group
Group
Group
Group
A
B
C
D
N
133
115
162
201
Per Cent
46.5
43.9
43.6
53.0
N=
..
611
47.0
The.se figures indicate that the sample was not biassed in favour of any
particular age-group.
5. Whereas up to 1930 no fewer than 77 per cent, of graduates had enrolled
in the Faculty of Arts, this had dropped to 53 per cent, by 1950.
6. There are now women graduating in Commerce, Medicine, Dentistry,
Law, Veterinary Science and Agriculture, but the number of women graduates in
these faculties combined still represents less than a quarter of the total.
7. Of extreme significance to Australia is the fact t h a t the proportion of
women .science graduates has not increased. It has remained practically constant
a t 23 per cent, of the total over the forty years of the study.
8. One in every four women graduates goes on to take post-graduate qualifications. The majority of these have continued their studies in the Faculty of
Education.
9. Prior to 1930, 52 per cent, of the graduates married professional men;
this has now been increased to 80 per cent.
10. One in every three married women does full-time or part-time work
when family conditions permit.
11. Prior to 1930, 90 per cent, of women graduates entered the teaching
jprofession. By 1950 this had dropped to 40 per cent.
THE \'OCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN GRADUATES
17
12. From 1930 to 1950 there has been a 27 per cent, increase in the proportion
of women doing laboratory and research work.
13. Teaching and research work account for two-thirds of the employed
women graduates. The remainder are spread over nine different occupational areas.
B.
Implications of the S t u d y
1. To meet the need for scientifically trained personnel in schools and
industry, more women should be encouraged to enrol in science courses at the
tertiary level. This is dependent on, and related to, the provision of better science
facilities and more trained science teachers in secondary schools.
2. Modifications of University Science courses could be made so that women
may be trained for semi-professional occupations in technical and scientific fields.
3. Comments from women graduates show that they felt a need for more
and better guidance in regard to their courses of study at secondary schools and in
the University.
4. It is apparent that there should be more post-graduate scholarships for
women as weU as men, if we are to satisfy the need for highly qualified personnel
required by industrial and research organisations.
5. Over a period of forty years there have been considerable changes in
attitudes to and opportunities for women graduates. The study shows that these
changes are continuing, although some restrictions in the employment of women
still remain.
6. Overall, certain implications are apparent. The gradual changes in the
status of women is a reflection of changes in our social and economic structure,
many of which are the result of post-war industrial expansion. The pattern of the
educational and vocational preparation of women must keep pace with their
changing status in the modern community.
IB
Meg. W. RORKE
7.
APPENDIX A
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
Q U E S T I O N N A I R E TO W O M E N G R A D U A T E S
of the
U N I V E R S I T Y OF Q U E E N S L A N D
Name
Address
Status (now) Married or Single
Year of Marriage
Maiden Name
_
Faculty in which you graduated
Year of First Graduation
Please list any other degrees and dates of graduation
1. If married, number of children (if any)
Present ages of children (in Years)
BOYS
years
years
years
years
Boys
Girls
GIRLS
years
years
years
years
2. If married, husband's occupation..
3. Give details of where you have lived since graduation (specify years),
e.g. 1950-1952
30 miles from Roma
1953-1955 Town of Bundaberg.
4. Kindly list any part-time or full-time position held by you or any professional work done since graduation. Please specify particular years.
6. Would you kindly indicate to us why it was necessary to discontinue
each position of full-time or part-time work.
THE \'OCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF V\()MKN GRADU.VFES
19
6. If married, did you undertake part-time or full-time employment after
your children had reached a certain age or a certain stage of education ? Please
give details.
7. If married, did your marital status exclude }ou from any em})Iuyment
you had hoj^ed to foUow ? (e.g. Permanent employment in State Public Ser\-ice).
8. Is tliere any way in which you feel your education, knowledge or training
might liave been effectively used in a part-time capacity (or otherwise) since
graduation, but you were prevented for some reason (such as home duties, or
conditions of the work) ? Please give details and reasons.
9. If you are now employed, are you engaged in work suited to the academic
qualification and/or training that you possess ?
10. Is there any help that might have been given to you in regard to the
more effecti\'c use of your unixxTsity qualifications ?
11. Indicate an}- societies or organisations in which you have taken an
active part. Please list and indicate the part you took.
12. i*l(-ase list any articles written or literary contributions you have made.
13. Vv'hat other contributions not mentioned above do you feel you have
made as a result of your university studies ?
14. Please give details of any voluntary social work undertaken by you.
S^
Meg. W. RORKi:
15. Add any further comments you might care to make in regard to your
employment as a graduate.
APPENDIX B
HUSBANDS' OCCUPATIONS
Table V shows the distribution of the occupations of husbands for the various
groups, classified into seven major occupational categories.*
There appears to be a very definite trend for women graduates to m a r r y men
who are themselves engaged in professional work.
Graduates included in A, B, C and D Groups represent approximately 50
per cent, of the total in each of the respective periods considered, but it is interesting
to note that whereas up to 1930 52.5 per cent, marry professional men, this now
has been increased to 80.3 per cent.
Approximately 65 per cent, of the total group studied h a \ e married men
who are engaged in professional work.
Of the remainder there is a fairly even distribution among the various
categories of employers (including managers of business houses), farm or station
owners, office workers (mainly clerical), sale.smen (insurance and estate agents),
and skilled workers (.such as electricians).
TABLE V
Husbands' Occupations
N
/o
N
%
N
/o
N
/o
42
52.5
9
11.3
()
7.5
2
2.5
4
5.6
2
Not Indie
o
55
N
•c
<u
c«
c
>
Other
Occupatir
Salesman
Office Wo
Employer
Profession
Group
.\
U
u
O
Total
^
~
o
ct
o/
.o
N
/o
N
/o
N
o/
/o
6.3
G
7.5
6
7..")
4
5.0
80
2.8
8
11.1
0
0
4
5.6
72
111
1!
38
52. S
i)
12.5
7
!).7
C
78 i 70,2
1
05
80.3
8
7.2
7
<).3
45
2
l.S
7
6.3
2
1.8
2
1.8
1.2
1.2
0
0
5
6.2
4
4.9
0
0
D
' i O t a l all G r o u p ;
.\ 1
223
1
i4,S
%
5
(1.2
;ii
<). 1
1
21
(i.l
12
:15
!)
2.6
26
7.6
12
3.5
10
2.9
N
81
34-1
••Tlie categories closely resemble those used by H. ISerdic in "Manpower and the Schools"
Australian Council for ICducational Research, 1956.