Not always a nerd: exploring the diversity in professional identity profiles of STEM students in relation to their career choices

Abstract

Although there is a high demand of highly educated professionals in the technical sector, only about 50% of the graduates from a study program in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) opt for a career in the technical sector. Professional identity has been shown to influence students’ career choice. STEM students whose professional identity is more in line with their future profession are more likely to commit to a career in the technical sector. At the same time, stereotyping can lead less prototypical students to leave the technical sector. However, little is known about the diversity in STEM students’ professional identity and how this is related to their career choices. Based on a survey-study among 743 STEM-students, we developed five profiles of STEM students’ professional identity called the nerd, the status seeker, the hipster, the security seeker and the loner. These profiles were significantly related to the strength of identification with their future profession and intended career choice. Results indicate that while there is much variation between STEM students’ professional identity, more stereotypical, male students are still more likely to aim for a career within the technical field.