A strong, positive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) identity is a predictor of future career choice in a STEM field. In this commentary, major concepts are explored within and among four different research studies with implications regarding STEM or science identity. This commentary describes ways in which one can view STEM…

Facing a cutthroat academic job market, many doctoral students are now willing to explore the possibility of a community-college career. And they have many questions. In Part 1 of this series, the author focused on the hiring process at two-year colleges and answered some common questions like "Do I have to have a Ph.D. to teach in that sector?"…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to introduce the papers in this special issue and some issues surrounding choosing management as a career. A jointly developed questionnaire is also presented. Design/methodology/approach: The paper is descriptive in nature. Findings: It is crucial for researchers and practitioners to expand their perspectives…

Suggests that university professors might foster students' desire for work that they can put their heart into after the English major. Describes two initiatives--the English Advisory Board and English 4390: Professional Internship--at the University of Houston. Suggests these two initiatives are low cost and high yield. (SG)

A review of essays that were written by teacher education majors on why they chose teaching as a career, shows a variety of motivations. Among these, the most often cited were: love of children, special interest (special education, specific subject, etc.), the challenge, and rewards of teaching. (CJ)

Describes a series of surveys of elementary, secondary, and college students to discover reasons for a shortage of suitably educated engineers. Offers suggestions for encouraging young people to enter the engineering profession. (JOW)

This essay suggests to schools ways in which to get more girls interested in science and technology. The sections of this essay are as follows: (1) "Why Are There So Few Girls Studying Technology?"; (2) "Why is it Important to Get More Girls Interested in Science and Technology?"; (3) "How to Get More Girls Interested in…

The idea that children's books must present biological information accurately and in an effective manner that invites children to consider biology as a career is discussed. The reasons why biology books are so well represented among children's science books and how teachers use science trade books in the classroom are described. (KR)

Discusses the need to guide general education students in the former Soviet Union into blue collar occupations. Observes that, despite technological changes, manual laborers will continue to comprise a majority of the work force. Argues that manual laborers need to complete their schooling. Underscores the value of vocational training and guidance…

Describes the problem most universities have in convincing students that a major in English is valuable in the job market and advocates the use of a "Career Night," wherein former English majors discuss their jobs and how the skills they learned as an English major helped them obtain their position. (JC)

Advice of a law professor to beginning law students covers such topics as educational goals and techniques in legal education, study materials, study skills specific to law schools, general reflections on self-image, justice, ideology, and student attitudes and alienation. (MSE)

Examines the idea that introductory college courses should be magnets for recruiting and retaining science majors, not filters to discourage the "unfit." Discusses the possible relationship between the quality of instruction in college science and the number of students that drop out of science well into their college careers. (KR)

Possible reasons for the imbalance between men and women pursuing careers in science are discussed--disparity in cognitive abilities, personality characteristics, attitudes toward science, differences between in-school and out-of-school experiences, and gender differences in mathematics preparation. The implications for preparation of teachers of…

Cooperative education (Co-Op) programs have been used at the college level in order to facilitate the transition from school to work. Studies have shown that such programs increase student motivation, better integrate theory and practice, aid development of maturity, foster greater human relations skills, and orient students to the world of work.…

The authors explore the literature related to sex stereotyping in the labor force and as part of vocational education. In their call for change, they present 10 suggestions for those interested in designing treatment programs to assist both males and females in overcoming barriers to nontraditional jobs and training programs. (Author)