Does More Mean Less? Interest Surplus and the Gender Gap in STEM Careers

M. Teresa Cardador, Rodica Ioana Damian, Justin P. Wiegand

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The persistent gender gap in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) career choice represents a perplexing problem for researchers and policy makers alike. We contribute to the body of research on the gender gap in STEM careers by testing a “surplus model” of vocational interests as a predictor of STEM career choice. The model suggests that, controlling for ability, female adolescents with strong STEM-related interest should be less likely to pursue STEM careers when they also have strong interests in other areas, due to wider career options. We tested the surplus model in a large national longitudinal data set and translated the results into differences in annual wages. Our findings illuminate the predictive validity of a surplus model of interests on STEM career choice across gender, provide insight into the gender gap in STEM, and suggest opportunities for future research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)76-97
Number of pages22
JournalJournal of Career Assessment
Volume29
Issue number1
Early online dateJun 8 2020
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2021

Keywords

  • stem career choice
  • stem gender gap
  • surplus model
  • vocational interests

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • General Psychology
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Does More Mean Less? Interest Surplus and the Gender Gap in STEM Careers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this