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Women's Career Development in the Information Technology and Computing Sector in Argentina: How Counterspaces Cultivate Self-Efficacy

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Title: Women's Career Development in the Information Technology and Computing Sector in Argentina: How Counterspaces Cultivate Self-Efficacy
Language: English
Authors: Verónica Millenaar (ORCID 0000-0001-8084-4745), Virginia Snodgrass Rangel (ORCID 0000-0002-0376-1986)
Source: Education Policy Analysis Archives. 2026 34(9).
Availability: Colleges of Education at Arizona State University and the University of South Florida. c/o Editor, USF EDU162, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5650. Tel: 813-974-3400; Fax: 813-974-3826; Web site: https://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/epaa
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Social Environment, Females, Career Development, Information Technology, Computer Science, Labor Force Development, Communities of Practice, College Students, Computer Mediated Communication, Social Support Groups, Safety, Sense of Belonging, Sex Stereotypes, Disproportionate Representation, Barriers, Self Efficacy
Geographic Terms: Argentina
ISSN: 1068-2341
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of social environments in women's career development in Information Technology and Computing (ITC) by examining how two distinct environments--workforce development programs and informal online communities-- shaped the career development of postsecondary female students in Argentina. We drew on self-efficacy and counterspaces to frame the study. Our data came from in-depth interviews with 29 women who were studying or had graduated from college. We analyzed the data using iterative coding, which enabled us to apply our framework. All had completed short workforce development programs and were members of informal, online communities for women in ITC. We found that when counterspaces fostered a sense of safety and belonging, they enabled women to take risks and engage in mastery experiences. Second, we found that the counterspaces helped the women build or join a supportive community, providing them with vicarious learning experiences and verbal persuasion. Finally, when the counterspaces provided all three benefits to women--a supportive community, safety and belonging, and the mitigation of stereotypes--the women experienced emotional arousal. We conclude the manuscript by connecting our findings to the extant literature and suggesting directions for future research.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500575
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Women's Career Development in the Information Technology and Computing Sector in Argentina: How Counterspaces Cultivate Self-Efficacy
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Verónica+Millenaar%22">Verónica Millenaar</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8084-4745">0000-0001-8084-4745</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Virginia+Snodgrass+Rangel%22">Virginia Snodgrass Rangel</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0376-1986">0000-0002-0376-1986</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Education+Policy+Analysis+Archives%22"><i>Education Policy Analysis Archives</i></searchLink>. 2026 34(9).
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  Data: Colleges of Education at Arizona State University and the University of South Florida. c/o Editor, USF EDU162, 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620-5650. Tel: 813-974-3400; Fax: 813-974-3826; Web site: https://epaa.asu.edu/ojs/index.php/epaa
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Argentina%22">Argentina</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of social environments in women's career development in Information Technology and Computing (ITC) by examining how two distinct environments--workforce development programs and informal online communities-- shaped the career development of postsecondary female students in Argentina. We drew on self-efficacy and counterspaces to frame the study. Our data came from in-depth interviews with 29 women who were studying or had graduated from college. We analyzed the data using iterative coding, which enabled us to apply our framework. All had completed short workforce development programs and were members of informal, online communities for women in ITC. We found that when counterspaces fostered a sense of safety and belonging, they enabled women to take risks and engage in mastery experiences. Second, we found that the counterspaces helped the women build or join a supportive community, providing them with vicarious learning experiences and verbal persuasion. Finally, when the counterspaces provided all three benefits to women--a supportive community, safety and belonging, and the mitigation of stereotypes--the women experienced emotional arousal. We conclude the manuscript by connecting our findings to the extant literature and suggesting directions for future research.
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  Data: EJ1500575
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 23
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Environment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Females
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information Technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Science
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Labor Force Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communities of Practice
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Mediated Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Support Groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Safety
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sense of Belonging
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      – SubjectFull: Sex Stereotypes
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      – SubjectFull: Disproportionate Representation
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      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Efficacy
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      – SubjectFull: Argentina
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Women's Career Development in the Information Technology and Computing Sector in Argentina: How Counterspaces Cultivate Self-Efficacy
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