Table 1 STEM Students’ description of the factors underlying their career decision-making
Key findings | Student numbers 150 | Themes | Description of outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
Interpersonal influence | 150 | Family is of varying influence | The students’ perception of their families’ influence on their decision to study STEM are summarily described as “very influential,” “somehow influential,” “no influence,” and “family needs my support” |
68 | Family is very influential | Among this category were 68 students representing 45.33% of the participants | |
40 | Family is somehow influential | 40 students (27%) reported on this sub-theme. | |
23 | Family has no influence | 23 students (15.33%) reported that their families were not influential in their career decision-making. | |
19 | Family needs my support | Few students numbering 19 (13%) believed their families needed their support. | |
30 | Teacher Influence | 30 students (20%) reported that their teacher’s input was influential in their decision to choose a career in the STEM field. | |
Intra-personal influence | 45 | “Champion” mentality | Students numbering 45 (30%) responded in line with this category. |
83 | Career interest in STEM | 83 students (55.33%) indicated that their decision to pursue a career in STEM was based on interest. | |
53 | Personality | A total number of 53 students (35.33%) attributed personality as being influential in their decision to pursue a career in STEM. | |
17 | Personal development | A small number of students (17) representing 11.33% stated that personal development needs contributed to their choice of s career in STEM | |
57 | Self-efficacy | 38% (57) students reported that their self-efficacy convictions were influential in their decision to pursue a career in STEM. | |
21 | Spirituality and morality | 21 students (14%) of the respondents believe that they were influenced by their spiritual life to pursue a career in STEM. | |
Career outcomes expectancy | 64 | Financial matters | Approximately 43% (64) participants reported that financial matters influenced their decision to follow a career in STEM. |
43 | Career opportunities and prospects | 43 students (29%) believed that career opportunities and prospects attributable to STEM influenced their choice of career in the area. |