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.…

Introduction: Analysis of the relationship between test scores and other variables provides an important source of evidence for validity. As a new instrument, evidence of validity of Pictorial Vocational Interest Inventory (PVII) is needed to support its psychometric properties. The purpose of this study is to obtain evidence of the validity of…

A scoping review of peer-reviewed academic literature on career interest measures for the African adolescents was conducted. The aim was to determine current knowledge and future research. Measuring learners' career interests during high school is imperative to promote a positive start to their career trajectory. A sample of 10 articles…

The problem motivating this study is the urgent need to explore the antecedents of STEM career interest and the growing importance of coding in STEM careers, coupled with the unclear relationship between intrinsic coding interest and STEM career interest. To narrow the research gap, this study explores the direct and indirect effects of intrinsic…

Both personalization and utility value (UV) interventions have emerged in educational psychology as ways to increase students' interest in learning an academic subject, and potentially improve learning outcomes. However, empirical results for each approach have been mixed and these approaches have worked differently for different groups of…

There is a considerable lack of women in the engineering disciplines at tertiary level in New Zealand. This is an economic issue because innovation and creativity in engineering are supported by diversity which directly and indirectly supports the New Zealand economy. Improving diversity in engineering will also improve equity. Literature suggests…

The present study aims to identify unrealistic career optimism among Korean high school students and to examine its characteristics. Cluster analysis was conducted to identify the number of groups classified by the reported levels of career aspirations and career preparation behaviors among 420 Korean high school students, and each group's…

This multi-methods study explores changes in engineering interest and identity of middle and high school students (n = 79) attending introductory-level engineering summer camps at a large western land grant university. Middle school is a critical time when student interest, identity, and subsequently career choice begin to emerge and hence it is…

Pre-post paired data gathered from 15 students enrolled in a career and technical education high school course focusing on teacher education were analyzed to measure the impact due to experiences in a simulated teaching environment. The main research focus was to explore the relationship between variables considered to be important for the success…

Unstructured out-of-school time (OST) science activities, such as reading a science book, watching a science television show, or researching on the internet about science, constitute a self-sustaining way for adolescents to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Although it is suggested that long-term engagement in…

Over the past few years, digital fabrication has been utilized in technology laboratories to emphasize hands-on learning processes in technology and engineering education. Recent studies indicate that hands-on activities can help students connect with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines and develop key skills…

The call to increase student interest in science and related careers continues to receive national attention in the United States. While many current efforts have focused on infrastructure support and innovative pedagogies to better reach and engage students, research suggests that having a career role model can influence adolescents' interest in…

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…

Flexibility is considered one of the key resources for a successful adaptation to the world of work. It has also been defined as "the positive side" of career reconsideration process in vocational identity theory. However, previous empirical observations conducted in the Italian context have highlighted the negative relationship between…

Cognitive abilities and interests both play an important role in guiding knowledge acquisition, but most previous studies have examined them separately. The current study used a large and representative dataset to integrate interests and abilities using a person-centered approach that examines how distinct profiles of interests and abilities…