Promoting career choice competence and self-efficacy of women in STEM. A case study of the ‘Niedersachsen-Technikum’ and the application of Social Cognitive Career Theory

Svenja Folkerts; Judith Bräuer

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2026)
Network Gender and STEM 2024 Conference Part 2

Special Issue: Gen&STEM2024 conference

Promoting career choice competence and self-efficacy of women in STEM. A case study of the ‘Niedersachsen-Technikum’ and the application of Social Cognitive Career Theory

Published 12-02-2026

Svenja Folkerts
Judith Bräuer

Svenja Folkerts
University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück

Judith Bräuer
University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück

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How to Cite

Promoting career choice competence and self-efficacy of women in STEM. A case study of the ‘Niedersachsen-Technikum’ and the application of Social Cognitive Career Theory. (2026). International Journal of Gender, Science and Technology, 18(1), 1-13. https://genderandset.open.ac.uk/index.php/genderandset/article/view/1564

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Abstract

The social cognitive career theory (SCCT), developed by Lent, Brown and Hackett in 1994, has become a popular foundation for vocational research all over the world (Brown & Lent, 2019). The first three connected SCCT models describe interest development, career choice, and performance achievements in a certain career domain. The following variables play the most important roles in all models: self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and choice goals (Sheu & Bordon, 2017). These variables form the guidelines for the best practice project “Niedersachsen-Technikum”, which is a cooperation project between universities and companies that offers young women orientation in STEM fields. In 2010, “Niedersachsen-Technikum” was initiated by the Hochschule Osnabrück and was extended in 2012. Today, nine universities and more than 130 companies in Lower Saxony are participating. Participating companies finance an internship of six months. During this period the participants gain practical experience in engineering. Besides seeing different departments, they apply new knowledge into an independent project. Once a week the participants attend first semester lectures and laboratory visits at one of the participating universities. Evaluation of the single-sex orientation project “Niedersachsen-Technikum” shows its positive effects on the vocational choice competence of female graduates and strengthens their self-efficacy and self-awareness.

Keywords

Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), self-efficacy, career choice, STEM, gender, vocational orientation

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Author Biography

Svenja Folkerts

Svenja Folkerts has been a research assistant at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences since 2020. After studying communication science at the university in Münster, she initially worked as a PR consultant. She is now responsible for the STEM careers orientation program “Niedersachsen-Technikum” and coordinates STEM projects for pupils. In her doctorate, she is investigating what contribution university communication can make to attracting more women to STEM subjects.

Judith Bräuer

Judith Elisabeth Bräuer, business graduate in European Business Studies at the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück with focus on marketing and public relations. She has experience in various industrial fields working as a marketing manager and coordinator. Since 2012, she coordinates the member universities for the project Niedersachsen-Technikum.