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Examining How Social Networks Influence Women and Under-Represented Minority Students' Pursuit of Engineering in University: When, Who, and How?

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Title: Examining How Social Networks Influence Women and Under-Represented Minority Students' Pursuit of Engineering in University: When, Who, and How?
Language: English
Authors: Wao, Hesborn (ORCID 0000-0002-6823-0895), Kersaint, Gladis (ORCID 0000-0002-3762-1906), Smith, Chrystal A. S. (ORCID 0000-0001-7816-058X), Campbell-Montalvo, Rebecca (ORCID 0000-0003-2671-8056), Puccia, Ellen, Skvoretz, John (ORCID 0000-0003-0573-1710), Martin, Julie P. (ORCID 0000-0003-1829-4994), Lee, Reginald (ORCID 0000-0002-3625-3822), MacDonald, George
Source: International Journal of STEM Education. 2023 10.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2023
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Contract Number: 1431197
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Secondary Education
Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Kindergarten
Primary Education
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Females, Minority Group Students, Disproportionate Representation, Engineering Education, School Counselors, Counselor Role, STEM Education, Undergraduate Students, Social Capital, Student Attitudes, Academic Aspiration, Majors (Students), African American Students, Hispanic American Students, White Students, Career Choice, College Preparation, Mathematical Aptitude, Prerequisites, Required Courses, Guidance, Problem Solving, Student Interests, College Role, Kindergarten, Elementary Secondary Education, Social Networks
DOI: 10.1186/s40594-023-00415-w
ISSN: 2196-7822
Abstract: Background: Women and under-represented minority (URM) students continue to be under-represented in STEM and earn the lowest proportion of undergraduate engineering degrees. We employed a mixed methods research approach grounded in social capital theory to investigate "when" they first consider pursuing engineering as a college degree major, "who" influences this decision, and "how" the influence occurs. First, we surveyed 2186 first-year undergraduate students entering engineering programs at 11 universities in the U.S. during the fall of 2014. Next, we interviewed a subsample of 55 women and URM students. Results: Survey findings indicated that women were more likely than men to consider pursuing engineering while in high school, before admission into college, or while in college rather than considering it earlier in their education. Black and Latinx students were more likely than white students to consider pursuing engineering after high school. In addition, Black and Latinx students were more likely than white students to identify a school counselor (rather than a family member) as having the most influence on their engineering academic and career decisions. In interviews, women and URM students provided examples of influential people who connected their aptitude and enthusiasm for mathematics, science, and problem-solving to engineering, explained the benefits of being an engineer, and provided advice about engineering academic and career pathways. Conclusions: Encouraging earlier consideration of engineering majors, such as during middle school, could allow women and URM students time to take requisite courses and take advantage of college preparatory programming. Likewise, universities can engage in intentional efforts to identify women and URM students with engineering interests and provide guidance. Such efforts should also include connecting them with other women and URM students in engineering. In addition, universities should support K-12 and university personnel in offering advice that can influence students' decision to declare an engineering major, which could help recruit more women and URM students into engineering.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2023
Accession Number: EJ1372036
Database: ERIC
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wao%2C+Hesborn%22">Wao, Hesborn</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6823-0895">0000-0002-6823-0895</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kersaint%2C+Gladis%22">Kersaint, Gladis</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3762-1906">0000-0002-3762-1906</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Smith%2C+Chrystal+A%2E+S%2E%22">Smith, Chrystal A. S.</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7816-058X">0000-0001-7816-058X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Campbell-Montalvo%2C+Rebecca%22">Campbell-Montalvo, Rebecca</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2671-8056">0000-0003-2671-8056</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Puccia%2C+Ellen%22">Puccia, Ellen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Skvoretz%2C+John%22">Skvoretz, John</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0573-1710">0000-0003-0573-1710</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Martin%2C+Julie+P%2E%22">Martin, Julie P.</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1829-4994">0000-0003-1829-4994</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lee%2C+Reginald%22">Lee, Reginald</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3625-3822">0000-0002-3625-3822</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22MacDonald%2C+George%22">MacDonald, George</searchLink>
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  Data: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
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  Data: 10.1186/s40594-023-00415-w
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  Data: 2196-7822
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: Women and under-represented minority (URM) students continue to be under-represented in STEM and earn the lowest proportion of undergraduate engineering degrees. We employed a mixed methods research approach grounded in social capital theory to investigate "when" they first consider pursuing engineering as a college degree major, "who" influences this decision, and "how" the influence occurs. First, we surveyed 2186 first-year undergraduate students entering engineering programs at 11 universities in the U.S. during the fall of 2014. Next, we interviewed a subsample of 55 women and URM students. Results: Survey findings indicated that women were more likely than men to consider pursuing engineering while in high school, before admission into college, or while in college rather than considering it earlier in their education. Black and Latinx students were more likely than white students to consider pursuing engineering after high school. In addition, Black and Latinx students were more likely than white students to identify a school counselor (rather than a family member) as having the most influence on their engineering academic and career decisions. In interviews, women and URM students provided examples of influential people who connected their aptitude and enthusiasm for mathematics, science, and problem-solving to engineering, explained the benefits of being an engineer, and provided advice about engineering academic and career pathways. Conclusions: Encouraging earlier consideration of engineering majors, such as during middle school, could allow women and URM students time to take requisite courses and take advantage of college preparatory programming. Likewise, universities can engage in intentional efforts to identify women and URM students with engineering interests and provide guidance. Such efforts should also include connecting them with other women and URM students in engineering. In addition, universities should support K-12 and university personnel in offering advice that can influence students' decision to declare an engineering major, which could help recruit more women and URM students into engineering.
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