This convergent mixed-methods study aimed to evaluate the mentorships in a high school with well-established student mentorship opportunities. Examining the characteristics and role of mentorships for students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers determined how mentorships impact STEM career decisions.…

There is a teacher shortage across the United States, and California, specifically, is experiencing a shortage. The shortage is compounded by teachers leaving the profession with reports of significant dissatisfaction (Darling-Hammond et al., 2023). Low enrollment in teacher preparation programs and a decline in individuals pursuing degrees in…

Although an increase in their participation could reduce workforce shortages and diversify innovations in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, African American women remain significantly underrepresented in male-dominated AEC careers. Furthermore, partly due to the lack of early and meaningful AEC exposure, African…

Research has shown that most STEM doctoral students are not prepared for their future careers. To address this gap, this dissertation explored and made sense of engineering doctoral student experiences related to their development as early career professionals with a variety of future career interests. One consideration embedded throughout the…

The purpose of this study is to examine Nebraska elementary teachers' desired leadership qualities and teachers' interest of becoming a principal. Part of this study is a replication of William A. Schernikau's dissertation completed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1991. Part of William A. Schernikau's study was designed to replicate a…

On-campus student employment is a strategy that higher education institutions can leverage to reduce financial barriers for students while engaging them in meaningful learning experiences. The intersection of on-campus student employment with the role of the work supervisor may be the framework that allows campuses to address multiple needs with…

Students who are gifted are often pulled in a variety of career directions because of their tendency to have many interests and passions. This study was designed to better understand the experience of adults who are gifted and their career choice. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore what career paths adults who are gifted follow,…

To explore and extend Holland's (1997) theoretical proposition regarding inconsistency in vocational personality patterns, the researcher studied how the patterns function in the lives of individuals. Rather than investigate the theoretical construct of inconsistency as an individual difference variable, as has been done numerous times before, the…

Black males comprise approximately 3% to 5% of the overall K-12 teaching workforce. The science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are overrepresented in this shortage. This research project aimed to shed light on the experiences of Black male STEM educators to better understand what garnered their interests in STEM, and what…

The purpose of this ex post facto research project was to examine the effect of career course length on student occupational engagement. To answer this question, Occupational Engagement Scale--Student (OES-S) scores for students enrolled in 16-week and 8-week long career courses were analyzed using t-tests and multiple regression. The study…

Computer science (CS) education has experienced rapid growth over the past decade with student demand leading to new courses or course pathways being offered in K-12 educational settings. Student demand has been matched by parent/community and technology industry support. Educators have quickly responded to the demand by expanding course…

Society is increasingly dependent on science and technology. STEM careers are growing at rates faster than the general economy. STEM careers require individuals with advanced training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The study of physics is a gatekeeper on the path to these challenging and rewarding STEM careers. One…

Artificial intelligence (AI) education in kindergarten through high school (K-12) is advancing in many countries, including the United States. The purpose of this research has been to better understand the impact of participation in an AI course on the sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students' overall interest, career interest in AI, and…

The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the effect of a single-gender intervention on the STEM Education Outcomes and STEM Identity Outcomes of females in STEM, as well as an understanding of the experiences of the female participants of the single-gender classroom. The conceptual framework was based on Maslow's Hierarchy of…

Math self-efficacy has been shown to predict math achievement and interest in a math-related career, such as one in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). However, women consistently report lower math self-efficacy than men, contributing to gender disparities in upper-level math courses and the underrepresentation of women in…