STEM Career Aspirations Among Portuguese Secondary School Students

The main objective of this study was to investigate the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) career interests of secondary school students in Portugal. Data were collected from a sample of 190 twelfth grade students, consisting of 106 females and 84 males, using the STEM Career Interest Survey. The results showed that interest in careers in engineering tended to be lower than interest in mathematics, science, and technology among secondary school students. The study also found a gender gap in students' interest in science, engineering, and technology careers. Female students were less interested in engineering and technology-related careers than their male counterparts, but more interested in science-related careers. These findings can inform education policy makers, curriculum developers, teachers, and researchers about the importance of STEM education in nurturing and cultivating students' interest in STEM fields.