Planning to Stay or Go: Examining Female Students' Occupational Plans in STEM by Race/Ethnicity

• In Event: Millennium Hotel Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Education and Jobs: New Perspectives on Educational Attainment

Abstract

This study argues that the roots behind women’s comparatively high exit rates from STEM occupations likely lead back to their college years, when many female STEM majors are already planning not to enter a STEM occupation or having serious doubts about belonging in such occupations. Utilizing data from female STEM majors at two universities, analyses investigate whether attitudes and occupational goals, as well as experiences with classmates and faculty, are associated with women’s expectations of entering and remaining in STEM occupations. Results reveal key differences by race/ethnicity, suggesting that theoretical models of motivation and support that underlie much of the discussion around women in STEM may not apply to the experiences and obstacles of minority women, particularly Asian women.

Authors

• Catherine C. Riegle-Crumb, The University of Texas

• Tatiane Russo-Tait, The University of Texas at Austin

• Kara Takasaki, The University of Texas