Choice of university careers in areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM): review of the literature
Keywords:
career choice, STEM, science, technology, engineering, mathematicsAbstract
This article shows the results of a literature review on the factors that influence the decision to choose a career related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The selection was made based on Google Scholar, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Elsevier and Taylor & Francis databases were used from 2007 to 2017. In addition, texts with a qualitative and quantitative approach were selected, which included high school students, high school students or STEM graduates.
In total, 19 articles were analyzed in this review, which were located in the United States, Denmark, Australia, Korea, Slovenia, Israel and the United Kingdom. It is concluded that the factors most associated with the process of choice are: 1) family and family relationships, 2) gender, 3) ethnic group, 4) socioeconomic level, 5) interests and 6) self-efficacy of the student. These results could be useful for rethinking policies and programs to promote STEM areas in developing countries.
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