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Parental Influence, Career Counselling, and Role Models in Girls' STEM Career Choices: Evidence from Three Public Universities in Ghana

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Title: Parental Influence, Career Counselling, and Role Models in Girls' STEM Career Choices: Evidence from Three Public Universities in Ghana
Language: English
Authors: Florence Christianah Awoniyi (ORCID 0000-0001-9806-1837), Samuel Temitope Jokotagba (ORCID 0000-0001-8897-0391)
Source: European Journal of STEM Education. 2025 10(1).
Availability: Lectito Journals. Wassenaarseweb 20, 2596 CH, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel: 31-70-2190600; e-mail: info@lectitojournals.com; Web site: http://www.lectitopublishing.nl
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Parent Influence, Career Counseling, Role Models, Females, Womens Education, STEM Careers, Career Choice, Public Colleges, Social Influences, Barriers, Parent Background, Educational Attainment, Undergraduate Students, STEM Education, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Ghana
ISSN: 2468-1954
2468-4368
Abstract: Girls' participation in STEM careers remains low despite global efforts to close the gender gap. This study examines the factors influencing girls' pursuit of STEM-related careers in three public universities in Ghana, focusing on parental educational attainment, parental involvement, career counselling, and exposure to role models. Using the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as a framework, the study explores how personal, contextual, and social influences shape career decisions. A mixed-methods approach was employed, collecting quantitative data from 424 female tertiary students and qualitative insights from 15 semistructured interviews. Findings indicate that parental involvement, career counselling, and role models significantly impact girls' STEM career choices, explaining 38%, 41%, and 49.8% of the variance, respectively. However, parental educational attainment did not significantly influence STEM career selection. The study highlights the critical role of mentorship, career guidance, and family support in shaping STEM aspirations. It recommends policy measures to strengthen career counselling, increase access to STEM role models, and enhance parental engagement in career discussions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1475545
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Parental Influence, Career Counselling, and Role Models in Girls' STEM Career Choices: Evidence from Three Public Universities in Ghana
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Florence+Christianah+Awoniyi%22">Florence Christianah Awoniyi</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9806-1837">0000-0001-9806-1837</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Samuel+Temitope+Jokotagba%22">Samuel Temitope Jokotagba</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8897-0391">0000-0001-8897-0391</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22European+Journal+of+STEM+Education%22"><i>European Journal of STEM Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 10(1).
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  Data: Lectito Journals. Wassenaarseweb 20, 2596 CH, The Hague, The Netherlands. Tel: 31-70-2190600; e-mail: info@lectitojournals.com; Web site: http://www.lectitopublishing.nl
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  Data: 21
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parent+Influence%22">Parent Influence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Counseling%22">Career Counseling</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Role+Models%22">Role Models</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Females%22">Females</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Womens+Education%22">Womens Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Careers%22">STEM Careers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Choice%22">Career Choice</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Public+Colleges%22">Public Colleges</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Influences%22">Social Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Parent+Background%22">Parent Background</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Attainment%22">Educational Attainment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ghana%22">Ghana</searchLink>
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  Data: 2468-1954<br />2468-4368
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Girls' participation in STEM careers remains low despite global efforts to close the gender gap. This study examines the factors influencing girls' pursuit of STEM-related careers in three public universities in Ghana, focusing on parental educational attainment, parental involvement, career counselling, and exposure to role models. Using the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as a framework, the study explores how personal, contextual, and social influences shape career decisions. A mixed-methods approach was employed, collecting quantitative data from 424 female tertiary students and qualitative insights from 15 semistructured interviews. Findings indicate that parental involvement, career counselling, and role models significantly impact girls' STEM career choices, explaining 38%, 41%, and 49.8% of the variance, respectively. However, parental educational attainment did not significantly influence STEM career selection. The study highlights the critical role of mentorship, career guidance, and family support in shaping STEM aspirations. It recommends policy measures to strengthen career counselling, increase access to STEM role models, and enhance parental engagement in career discussions.
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  Data: EJ1475545
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Parent Influence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Counseling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Role Models
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      – SubjectFull: Females
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      – SubjectFull: Womens Education
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      – SubjectFull: STEM Careers
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      – SubjectFull: Career Choice
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      – SubjectFull: Public Colleges
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      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
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      – SubjectFull: Parent Background
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Attainment
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      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
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      – SubjectFull: Ghana
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      – TitleFull: Parental Influence, Career Counselling, and Role Models in Girls' STEM Career Choices: Evidence from Three Public Universities in Ghana
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