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Gendered pathways toward STEM careers: The incremental roles of work value profiles above academic task values
Guo, Jiesi Eccles, Jacquelynne Sue Sortheix, Florencia M. Salmela-Aro, Katariina
Guo, Jiesi
Eccles, Jacquelynne Sue
Sortheix, Florencia M.
Salmela-Aro, Katariina
Abstract
Drawing on Eccles' expectancy-value model of achievement-related choices, we examined how work values predict individual and gender differences in sciences, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) participations in early adulthood (ages of 25/27, 6 or 8 years after postsecondary school), controlling for subjective task values attached to academic subjects in late adolescence (11th grade, age 18). The study examined 1,259 Finnish participants using a person-oriented approach. Results showed that: (a) we could identify four profile groups based on five core work values (society, family, monetary, career prospects, and working with people); (b) work-value profiles predicted young adults actual STEM participation in two fields: math-intensive and life science occupations above and beyond academic task values (e.g., math/science) and background information; (c) work-value profiles also differentiate between those who entered support- vs. professional-level STEM jobs; and (d) gender differences in work value profiles partially explained the differential representation of women across STEM sub-disciplines and the overall underrepresentation of women in STEM fields.
Keywords
gender differences, work values, task values, STEM, career choice
Date
2018
Type
Journal article
Journal
Frontiers in Psychology
Book
Volume
9
Issue
Page Range
1-15
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open