Barbie unveils “Geek Chic” Computer Engineer doll

She’s been a “stewardess,” a “pet vet,” an Olympic athlete, astronaut, politician, UNICEF ambassador, surgeon, TV anchor and a hair salon proprietress.

Now Barbie’s got a tech credit on her resume with the announcement of her new career in computer engineering at the Toy Fair in New York City and illustrated in a statement by Mattel. In the 18 years since Barbie drew criticism for saying math was “hard,” the former flame of Ken has apparently had a geek change of heart, now sporting a binary shirt and a sparkly pink laptop as well as a Bluetooth headset.

Barbie’s new career direction was selected in part via voting on Facebook and Twitter, and Computer Engineer Barbie® will debut in Winter 2010. (Mattel is currently taking pre-orders if you think your kid will still be into Barbie in a year.) Other inspiring careers in the “I can be” series of Barbies before her new job in tech were “bride,” “babysitter,” “rock star” and “ballerina.” So is this a step up for Barbie or a step down for girls pursuing tech careers?

Full text of Barbie’s new job description, below:

The Vote Is In: Barbie® Unveils Her 125th and 126th Careers

For the ?rst time ever, Barbie® asked the world to help her select her next career. Over the past few months Barbie® did research around the world and also conducted an online voting campaign, calling upon the world to vote for her doll’s next career – Barbie® has asked her Twitter followers and fans on Facebook to help her with this important career decision.

But that’s not all! Consumers loudly campaigned for another Barbie® career. The winner of the popular vote is Computer Engineer. Computer Engineer Barbie®, debuting in Winter 2010, inspires a new generation of girls to explore this important high-tech industry, which continues to grow and need future female leaders.

“All the girls who imagine their futures through Barbie will learn that engineers — like girls — are free to explore in?nite possibilities, limited only by their imagination,” says Nora Lin, President, Society of Women Engineers. “As a computer engineer, Barbie will show girls that women can turn their ideas into realities that have a direct and positive impact on people’s everyday lives in this exciting and rewarding career.”

To create an authentic look, Barbie® designers worked closely with the Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering to develop the wardrobe and accessories for Computer Engineer Barbie®. Wearing a binary code patterned tee and equipped with all the latest gadgets including a smart phone, Bluetooth headset, and laptop travel bag, Computer Engineer Barbie® is geek chic.

Always a trailblazer, Barbie® continues her impressive career path in 2010 and throughout the new decade as she takes on these two new aspirational careers. Both News Anchor Barbie® and Computer Engineer Barbie® are currently available for pre-order exclusively at www.MattelShop.com.