To aid in setting affirmative action targets, job preferences were explored using conjoint measurement, or trade-off analysis, with a general population and an applicant sample. The technique can identify groups interested in nontraditional work and showed sharp differences in job preferences between the sexes. (Author/SJL)

Data on male and female senior science undergraduates in nine Canadian universities show substantial gender discrepancies in defection rates and career aspirations, father's occupation as a distinguishing background variable between males and females, and greater likelihood of top women achievers defecting from science than average women…

Describes a study whose purpose was to determine interest in a secondary health careers program and in a health career by 10th- and 11th-grade students in Nebraska. Relationships between interest and sex, grade, and grade average were examined. (Author/CT)

To understand gender differences in career expectations, a survey of 232 recent college graduates' attitudes toward job factors (such as promotion and salary) was conducted. Findings suggest that women's career aspirations are quite similar to men's, especially for women who majored in traditionally "male" subjects. (KH)

This survey of women in traditional and nontraditional studies shows that (1) sex stereotyping is still prevalent; (2) attitudinal barriers and "hidden curricula" discourage women from pursuing certain careers; and (3) mothers and female role models have the most influence on women's choice of nontraditional careers. (SK)

Analyzes how certain traits became associated with women in aviation. Uses media of popular culture to compare prevailing cultural misconceptions to the reality of research studies and personal experiences. Offers four recommendations to dispel myths and to encourage more women to participate in rewarding nontraditional careers in aviation. (NB)

Notes that, compared to coeducational institutions, all women's colleges lose fewer of their science majors to other fields. Contends that women's colleges can engender environment and mindset in which there are no barriers based on gender, an environment that encourages women to pursue nontraditional fields like science and medicine. Highlights…

This study tested R. W. Lent, S. D. Brown, and G. Hackett's (1994) model of career choice with 364 Mexican American adolescent women. Path analyses were run to determine the influence of contextual and social cognitive variables on career aspiration, career choice prestige, and traditionality. Partial support for the model was evidenced as…

This document is a compilation of materials on improving parent involvement in career education. Section 1 contains the following informative materials and exercises: a parent's guide to the career development alphabet, involvement continuum, self-assessment, influences on parents' career decisions, and parental influence exercises; and sample…

One of four research projects designed to examine barriers to entrance of women into the workforce, the study described in this bulletin examined the relationship between knowledge of nontraditional careers and attitudes toward them. Questionnaires were administered to 1,755 students from 12 New Jersey school districts to determine their attitudes…

This study examined gender roles and career orientation among 126 male and 126 female fourth through sixth grade gifted students. The Children's Sex Role Test was used to assess masculinity, femininity, and androgyny. While results showed more gender appropriate scores for males than females, overall more boys than girls were classified as…

Literature on female learning styles was reviewed to suggest implications for traditionally male vocational-technical education programs. The study focused on comparing and contrasting cognitive styles, a learning style dimension, between females and males. The field-dependent/independent distinction was found to be important for traditionally…

This study addresses itself to two questions. The first is to ascertain what, if any, social background and attitudinal differences differentiate women making traditional from nontraditional occupational choices in the semi-skilled and blue-collar occupations. A second issue relates to the relative effectiveness of various kinds of training…

Examines the relationship among sex-role attitudes, curriculum choice, and levels of educational and occupational aspirations and expectations of college students enrolled in home economics and agricultural curriculums. Results show that sex-role ideology is only weakly associated with curriculum choice but is related to career ambitions for…

Compared women in nontraditional fields of study with women in traditional fields over four years. Data indicated that women in nontraditional fields had higher ACT scores and degree expectations, felt better prepared in math, had higher high school grades in math, and came from higher family-income levels. (Author/RC)