Gender differences in applying social cognitive career theory in engineering students

• SCCT model produced a good fit to the data across gender.
• Women have less self-efficacy beliefs and interest than men.
• There are no differences between women and men on outcome expectations and goals.
• Women are more likely to perceive support, especially from peers and family.
• Men are more likely to perceive family barriers than women.

This study tested Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) in predicting engineering interest and major choice goals among male and female college students. Participants were 579 sophomore engineering students who completed measures of self-efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations, interests, goals and social supports and barriers. Findings confirmed that the SCCT model produced a good fit to the data across gender. The findings also corroborated that women have less self-efficacy beliefs and interest than men. However, there are no statistically significant differences in measures relating to outcome expectations and goals. Moreover, women are more likely to perceive support, especially from peers and family, while men are more likely to perceive family barriers than women. For other supports and barriers there are no gender differences. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.