Extending the Understanding of Gendered Career Choices in STEM: A Culture-rooted Theoretical Model

The conceptual “model of cultural stereotypes” offers a comprehensive understanding of gendered career choices of higher education students. Rooted in socio-cultural perspectives, the model integrates socialization effects, individual gender ideology and internalized cultural stereotypes to provide a nuanced understanding of career-related orientations. The model addresses the limitations of existing theories by recognizing the interplay between individual, institutional and cultural factors. It emphasizes the impact of societal values, norms and prevailing gender roles on career decisions. Empirical validation through a large-scale survey at a German research university underscores the efficacy of the model. The chapter also explores theoretical, methodological and practical implications to guide researchers and practitioners in advancing a contextually informed approach to understanding and addressing gender disparities in career decisions and differences regarding certain occupational fields.