An Investigation of Factors and Gender Differences in STEM/STEAM Career Choices Based on Social Cognitive Career Theory

Through Secondary Analysis of PISA 2015 Data

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the factors influencing Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career choice in Japan based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). We used Japanese data from the Program for International Student Assessment 2015 survey to test the SCCT career choice model. The result of the structural equation modeling showed that the SCCT career choice model is well fitted to the Japanese data. The results of the multi-population analysis revealed that self-efficacy, outcome expectations, interest, and socio-economic backgrounds have a significant impact on STEM career aspirations. Among these factors, there were significant gender differences in the effects of outcome expectations, interest, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, no gender differences were observed in the effects of self-efficacy. Based on the findings of this study, different interventions for different genders may be effective in increasing the number of students who choose STEM careers.