Citation
Conley, A., McMillan, S., & Tovar, L. (2013). Hardhats, boots and goggles revisited: STEM career development for the 21st century. Career Planning & Adult Development Journal, 29(2), 81-92.
Highlights
- The article discussed how career counselors can use social cognitive career theory (SCCT), a theory that one’s background and characteristics influence self-efficacy and ultimately career choice, to better engage and support underrepresented (minority and female) people in STEM careers.
- The authors used the SCCT framework to provide advice for how to increase minority participation in STEM, including how career counselors can use it to expand vocational interests to include STEM careers, clarify career goals, strenthen clients’ self-efficacy (with which STEM underrepresented minority groups often struggle), explore and manage existing discrimination, and build support systems. The article provided an in-depth example of how a career counselor might apply these SCCT techniques to a high school student.
- The authors concluded that SCCT is a useful tool to encourage underrepresented populations to pursue STEM careers, as it specifically takes into account societal barriers that these individuals face. A list of 16 recommended online career development resources that align with SCCT principles was provided.
Reviewed by CLEAR
September 2015