STEM Career Preferences of the Anatolian High School Students from Different Socioeconomic Levels

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to reveal the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career preferences in university of the students at different socioeconomic levels studying in Anatolian high schools and the relation between their socioeconomic levels and preferences. The research is performed with 886 students studying in Anatolian high schools in Kayseri province in the second term of the 2016-2017 academic year. The data is gathered via a form with demographic information and university career preferences of the students. The socioeconomic levels of the students are determined and their university career preferences are coded as STEM career field or non-STEM career field. In the analysis of the data, the SPSS 22 program is utilized. In the analysis of the data, frequency, percentage, and chi-square analysis are used. In the research, a significant relation is found between the socioeconomic levels of the students and whether their university career preferences are within the STEM field or not.