Poster #47 - Factors and Motives to Persist: The Experiences of Undergraduate Women in STEM

• In Event: Poster Session 09

Abstract

We examined the importance and attributes first-generation undergraduate women majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Our study focuses on the factors influencing help seeking behaviors, university experiences, and motivation to persist within their respective majors. Among university students, it has been shown that interactions with professors have impacted retention and promoting interest among undergraduate women in STEM (Shapiro & Sax, 2011). Previous studies have found a lack of female representation, sense of belonging, and gender representation are factors that these students have faced when attending their major courses (Chen & Moons, 2015; Mlambo & Mabokela, 2016; Skvoretz et al, 2020; Tate & Linn, 2005), making it difficult for these students to persist in their major courses.
Piloting a study has shown participants having difficulty approaching professors, feeling intimidation asking for help, and not feeling a sense of belonging among their major courses. Our poster presentation aims and focuses to present an analysis of 5 undergraduate women from a diverse range of majors in STEM and their experiences majoring in STEM. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in regard to motivation to persist in their major, help seeking behaviors, and challenges navigating through university. We implement a thematic analysis to analyze interviews for common experiences among undergraduate women majoring in STEM. The transcribed interviews and responses in regard to their experiences social support network and stressors will be presented.
A preliminary analysis of the interviews suggests common themes that recurred among these participants’ experiences in university settings which included generally feeling discomfort asking for help when needed, not attending professor office hours throughout the semester, and not feeling a sense of belonging among their major courses. Additionally, another common theme for participants in regard to their motivation and persistence in continuing on their major included financial stability upon completion of their degree, wanting to follow through with the completion of the degree already started, and having family and personal expectations to finish college altogether.

Authors

• Alejandra Bermudez Torres, California State University - Northridge
  Presenting Author

• Kylie Pimentel

• Rubysela Rodriguez, California State University - Northridge

• Omar Ruvalcaba, California State University - Northridge