ERIC Number: EJ1404365
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1380-3611
EISSN: EISSN-1744-4187
Examining the Predictors of STEM Career Interest among Upper Secondary Students in Finland
Kaleva, Satu; Celik, Ismail; Nogueiras, Gloria; Pursiainen, Jouni; Muukkonen, Hanni
Educational Research and Evaluation, v28 n1-3 p3-24 2023
Declining interests in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) related careers are concerning at a time when the society is becoming more reliant on complex technologies and science. Our study examined the predictors of students' STEM career interests within cohort data (N = 601) collected from Finnish general upper secondary schools. We created a SEM research model based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory, to explore how (1) Career outcome expectations, (2) Natural science subject interests, (3) Mathematics self-efficacy beliefs, (4) Receiving career information from various sources, (5) Support for mathematics studies related to (6) students' STEM career interests. A structural equation modelling (SEM) analysis showed receiving career information from various sources had a positive effect on STEM career interest. Likewise, mathematics self-efficacy beliefs positively related to natural science subject interest which, in turn, contributed to students' interest towards STEM careers.
Descriptors: STEM Education, STEM Careers, Secondary School Students, Foreign Countries, Predictor Variables, Science Interests, Self Efficacy, Career Information Systems
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A