Understanding STEM Career Interest: STEM Experiences, Stereotypes, Self-efficacy, and Sense of Belonging
摘要
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) literature has provided an examination of demographic variables for understanding career interest. However, in addition to these variables, there is a research gap on the impact of experiences within STEM, which are related to self-efficacy, stereotypes, and sense of belonging as it pertains to career interest. Based on this, the predictors of STEM career interest of high school students (n = 507) were investigated. The results of the study showed that STEM experiences, math and science self-efficacy, and sense of belonging in STEM were positive predictors of STEM career interest. However, gender or socioeconomic status does not significantly predict STEM career interests. In addition, stereotypes regarding STEM were a negative predictor of STEM career interest. Based on the results, implications for strengthening the STEM pipeline are drawn.