Social-cognitive factors of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career interests

Abstract

Guided by the social cognitive career theory (SCCT), this study examines the factors influencing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career interests and the career goals of college students in Taiwan (N = 320). A two-step modeling approach was used. First, the measurement part of the model was examined followed by a test of the full structural equation model. Both the measurement models and the path models were confirmed, suggesting a good fit of SCCT for Taiwanese college students. The correlations among SCCT constructs were in the expected directions. Implications for professional counseling and research are discussed.