Comparison of career-related self-efficacy expectancy levels of third and fourth-year male and female university students
Date
1991
Authors
Tenger, Beat
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate gender differences in career choices of university students. More specifically, this research will compare self-efficacy expectancy regarding career options as perceived by third and fourth year Computer Science, Education, Geography, and Nursing students. In total 81 students, 33 males and 48 females, filled out two questionnaires. The Vocational Preference Inventory was employed to determine self-efficacy expectancy levels with regard to traditional and non-traditional career fields.
The percentage of 20 professions, all of which students reported they could successfully perform the job duties, was calculated. ChiĀ-square analyses of the relationship between gender and the percentage of 'Yes' responses were performed for each occupation. Further, a t-test analysis was used to examine the relationship of self-efficacy, and gender to subject's perceived range of career options. The second scale, the Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy Scale, was employed to investigate counseling interventions in career-related decisions. Means and Standard Deviations were calculated to establish the individual's and group's confidence levels for each of the five subscales. Finally, to determine gender differences among each subscale, t-tests were conducted. Results of the Vocational Preference Inventory indicated overall gender differences m self-efficacy expectancy levels with regard to traditional and non-traditional careers. Male students tended to gravitate more towards nonĀ-traditional occupations, whereas female students felt more attracted to traditional career pursuits. The study found significant differences m means (total group mean for females 395.65; total group mean for males 372.9). However, the results also indicated that the traditional division between male and female careers has clearly diminished.
Results of the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy Scale indicated that overall, female students felt more confident in reaching career decisions. Of the four occupational groups, Computer Science, Education, Geography, and Nursing, Geography students showed the highest self-efficacy scores, whereas Nursing students showed the lowest overall self-efficacy scores. All in all, it might be useful to conduct this study with a bigger sample and in conjunction with different measures to confirm the results.