The Impact of Gender on STEM Career Interest in Terms of the Social Cognitive Career Theory

Year 2019, Volume: 14 Issue: 20, 1284 - 1311, 31.12.2019

Ayşegül Ergün

https://doi.org/10.26466/opus.603981

Cited By: 2

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the
effect of gender on middle-school students’ STEM career interest in terms of
the social cognitive career theory. The sample of the study was consisted of
400 students (218 female and 182 male students) who are receiving education at
public middle-school in a district  in
the Aegean region in Turkey. Data of the study in which general survey model
has been used have been collected through the STEM career interest survey. As a
result of the study, it has been seen that the male students’ STEM career
self-efficacy and interest is more positive compared to the female students.
Self-efficacy level was found in the favor of the male students in the areas of
technology and engineering and in the favor of the female students in the area
of mathematics. It was seen that personal goals and expectations related to
results displayed differences in the favor of the female students in the areas
of science and mathematics and in the favor of the male students in the areas
of technology and engineering. It has been concluded that the self-efficacy,
personal goals and expectations related to results of the female students in
the areas of technology and engineering are lower compared to the male students
and thus, female students’ STEM career interest is more negative compared to
the male students. In the light of the findings obtained in the study, it is
suggested to provide sufficient occupational guidance starting from the
middle-school years for the positive development of the female students’ career
interests related to technology and engineering.

Keywords

STEM career interest, middle-school students, social cognitive career theory

Sosyal Bilişsel Kariyer Kuramı Açısından STEM Kariyer İlgisine Cinsiyetin Etkisi

Abstract

Bu araştırmanın amacı, sosyal bilişsel kariyer kuramı açısından ortaokul
öğrencilerinin STEM kariyer ilgilerine cinsiyetin etkisinin belirlenmesidir.
Araştırmanın örneklemi, Ege bölgesindeki bir ilçede bulunan devlet ortaokulunda
öğrenim gören 400 öğrenciden (218 kız, 182 erkek) oluşmaktadır. Genel tarama
modelinin kullanıldığı araştırmada veriler, STEM kariyer ilgi anketiyle
toplanmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda erkek öğrencilerin STEM kariyer öz yeterliklerinin
ve ilgilerinin, kız öğrencilere göre daha olumlu olduğu belirlenmiştir. Öz
yeterlik düzeyinin teknoloji ve mühendislik alanlarında erkek öğrenciler
lehine, matematik alanında ise kız öğrenciler lehine farklılık gösterdiği
bulunmuştur. Kişisel amaç ve sonuç beklentilerinin, fen ve matematik
alanlarında kız öğrenciler lehine, teknoloji ve mühendislik alanlarında ise
erkek öğrenciler lehine anlamlı farklılık gösterdiği belirlenmiştir. Kız
öğrencilerin teknoloji ve mühendislik alanlarındaki öz yeterlik, kişisel amaç
ve sonuç beklentilerinin erkeklere göre daha düşük olduğu, bu nedenle kız
öğrencilerin STEM kariyer ilgilerinin de erkeklere göre daha olumsuz olduğu
sonucuna varılmıştır. Elde edilen bulgular ışığında, kız öğrencilerin
mühendislik ve teknoloji alanlarındaki kariyer ilgilerinin olumlu yönde
gelişimi için ortaokulun ilk yıllarından itibaren yeterli mesleki rehberlik
yapılması önerilmiştir. 

Keywords

Kariyer ilgisi, ortaokul öğrencileri, sosyal bilişsel kariyer kuramı

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