Influences on IT-Related Courses Choices: A Gendered Analysis Based on Social Cognitive Career Theory

Sunny Miranda, Maria José Marcelino, Paula Alexandra Silva

2025

Abstract

This study investigates what influences students to choose IT-related courses, focusing on gender differences within the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) framework. Gender disparities in IT are a significant problem in most European countries despite the growing demand for qualified professionals. In 2023, only 20% of employed ICT specialists in Portugal were women. Attracting and retaining female students in IT programs remains a challenge. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors motivate students to pursue IT courses. SCCT identifies prior experience, social support, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations as critical influences on higher education and career selection. This study surveyed how these factors affect IT course choices, considering gender differences. It involved 56 Portuguese IT-related students from two higher education institutions in 2023. Using thematic analysis, we examined twenty open-ended questions to identify the reasons behind choosing IT. The results showed that previous programming experience, exposure to IT/computer, personal interest and positive job prospects significantly influenced decisions, while support from parents, friends and teachers was less impactful. The study suggests that educators and policymakers should intensify computing activities for school students, especially girls, to foster interest and attract them to IT careers, enriching the sector with diverse perspectives and talents.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Miranda S., Marcelino M. and Silva P. (2025). Influences on IT-Related Courses Choices: A Gendered Analysis Based on Social Cognitive Career Theory. In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU; ISBN 978-989-758-746-7, SciTePress, pages 881-892. DOI: 10.5220/0013292900003932

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu25,
author={Sunny Miranda and Maria Marcelino and Paula Silva},
title={Influences on IT-Related Courses Choices: A Gendered Analysis Based on Social Cognitive Career Theory},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU},
year={2025},
pages={881-892},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013292900003932},
isbn={978-989-758-746-7},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU
TI - Influences on IT-Related Courses Choices: A Gendered Analysis Based on Social Cognitive Career Theory
SN - 978-989-758-746-7
AU - Miranda S.
AU - Marcelino M.
AU - Silva P.
PY - 2025
SP - 881
EP - 892
DO - 10.5220/0013292900003932
PB - SciTePress