Commitment to Graduate Studies and Careers in Science and Engineering: Examining Women's and Men’s Experiences

Tanya Darisi; Valerie J Davidson; Karen Korabik; Serge Desmarais

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2010)

Research and theoretical papers

Commitment to Graduate Studies and Careers in Science and Engineering: Examining Women's and Men’s Experiences

Published 11-03-2010

Tanya Darisi
Valerie J Davidson
Karen Korabik
Serge Desmarais

Tanya Darisi
University of Guelph

Valerie J Davidson
University of Guelph

Karen Korabik
University of Guelph

Serge Desmarais
University of Guelph

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How to Cite

Commitment to Graduate Studies and Careers in Science and Engineering: Examining Women’s and Men’s Experiences. (2010). International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, 2(1). https://genderandset.open.ac.uk/index.php/genderandset/article/view/58

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Abstract

A comprehensive survey was conducted to assess departmental, interpersonal and attitudinal variables related to Canadian student experiences in science and engineering graduate programs. The present study uses a subset of the survey variables to examine the experiences of women and men graduate students and to identify relationships between contextual factors and four specific outcomes: intention to leave current program, intention to pursue a career in field of study, science/engineering self-efficacy and confidence in establishing a career in one’s field. Quantitative and qualitative results show that departmental climate and advisor support predicted student intentions, confidence and self-efficacy. Gender differences in self-efficacy and confidence were also found.&

Keywords

Gender, Engineering, Science, Graduate Studies, Department Climate, Self-Efficacy, Commitment

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