Whistling Vivaldi: Examining Stereotypes and Implicit Biases in the Context of Engineering Career Counseling

• In Event: The Right Choice: Gaining Expertise and Choosing a Pathway to Promote Healthy Career Development

Abstract

Despite numerous calls, women and minorities are underrepresented in the engineering education system; and one root cause is student experiences in the K-12 education system. We investigated high school counselors’ perspectives regarding engineering stereotypes, stereotype threat, and implicit biases, as well as potential actions to address the issue. Data collected over a focus group during a professional learning experience revealed ten categories across three research questions detailing counselor perspectives, as well as challenges affecting the long-standing issue of diversity in engineering. Findings have implications for the design of future counselor professional development (PD) programs and enacting change in K-12 counseling practices to cultivate equitable education for all.

Authors

• Medha Dalal, Arizona State University

• Lydia Ross, Arizona State University