Search
On-Site Program Calendar
Browse By Day
Browse By Time
Browse By Person
Browse By Room
Browse By Unit
Browse By Session Type
Search Tips
Change Preferences / Time Zone
Sign In
Bluesky
Threads
X (Twitter)
YouTube
Guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), extensive research has focused on cognitive-personal variables and proximal environments, yet the impact of distal contexts remains underexplored. This study leveraged data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022 to investigate how social comparison affected boys' and girls' STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) career expectations. Findings indicated a decline in adolescents' expectations for careers in science, engineering, and health-related professions, coupled with an increase in information and communications technology (ICT) careers. Academically competent students were more likely to aspire to STEM careers in lower-achieving economies, particularly girls. Additionally, students from advantaged backgrounds exhibited higher STEM career expectations in less-developed economies with greater SES disparities, with boys being more influenced.