Influence of Role Models and Mentors on Female Graduate Students’ Choice of Science as a Career

Authors

  • Toni Fried Toronto District School Board
  • Anne MacCleave Mount Saint Vincent University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v55i4.55341

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the source, nature, and degree of influence of role models and mentors on female graduate students’ choice of science as a career. Also examined was the existence of gender or area-of-study (engineering, biological science, physical sciences) differences. Results of a factor analysis of the Influence of Others on Academic and Career Decisions Scale (IOACDS, Nauta & Kokaly, 2001) demonstrated that role models and mentors influenced students in distinct ways. Significant gender, area-of-study, and undergraduate country differences were found.

Author Biographies

Toni Fried, Toronto District School Board

Toni Fried, MA school psychology, is currently a psychoeducational consultant. This article is based on an updated and revised version of research conducted during her graduate studies at Mount Saint Vincent University. E-mail: friedt@hotmail.com

Anne MacCleave, Mount Saint Vincent University

Anne MacCleave is a professor and Coordinator of Human Relations/Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education. E-mail: anne.maccleave@msvu.ca

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How to Cite

Fried, T., & MacCleave, A. (2010). Influence of Role Models and Mentors on Female Graduate Students’ Choice of Science as a Career. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 55(4). https://doi.org/10.11575/ajer.v55i4.55341