The intersection of sex and field: an examination of career choice factors and dropout intentions in STEM and non-STEM degrees
The under-representation of women in male-dominated STEM fields is a worldwide concern. However, there are other academic fields, like some non-STEM degrees, where female students are over-represented. Previous research has identified five critical factors influencing student participation rates: ca...
| Autores: | , , , |
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| Formato: | artículo |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2024 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) |
| Repositorio: | UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC |
| Idioma: | inglés |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/404381 |
| Acesso em linha: | https://hdl.handle.net/2117/404381 https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2024.2319044 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | Education, Higher Women in higher education College dropouts Career choice Dropout intentions Female students STEM degrees Under-represented minorities Ensenyament universitari Dones en l'ensenyament universitari Abandó dels estudis (Ensenyament universitari) Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Ensenyament i aprenentatge::Ensenyament universitari |
| Resumo: | The under-representation of women in male-dominated STEM fields is a worldwide concern. However, there are other academic fields, like some non-STEM degrees, where female students are over-represented. Previous research has identified five critical factors influencing student participation rates: career choice, satisfaction, self-esteem, discrimination, and dropout. Based on a sample of 402 students, this study examines the educational experiences of female students in male-dominated STEM degrees compared to those in female-dominated non-STEM degrees. The study also compares results between male students in STEM and non-STEM degrees. The findings reveal that STEM female students are less likely to choose their studies based on vocation, associated with dropout intentions. Moreover, STEM female students have higher dropout intentions and feel less self-esteem. For female STEM students, dropout intentions are related to self-esteem, discrimination, and satisfaction. This study highlights differences between minority groups in STEM and non-STEM degrees and offers valuable information to address the under-representation of female students in technical fields |
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