The Relationship Between Math Interest and STEM Career Interest: When Am I Ever Going to Use This?

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Research on the Teaching and Learning of Undergraduate Mathematics

Abstract

Mathematics is a key underpinning of careers in science, technology, and engineering, but the relationship between interest in mathematics and interest in STEM careers is not well-understood. In the present study, we distributed a survey to community college students assessing their interest in mathematics and their interest in 14 different STEM or STEM-related career areas. We found that interest in math predicted interest in many, but not all STEM careers – most notably, health care. In addition, depth of interest in a chosen career was only associated with math interest for some STEM careers. And finally, students’ perceptions of how math was used in their chosen career areas predicted their interest in math, and their interest in some STEM career areas.

Authors

• Candace A. Walkington, Southern Methodist University

• Elizabeth Howell, Southern Methodist University

• Brooke Istas, Southern Methodist University

• Matthew L. Bernacki, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill