Career Development From Adolescence Through Emerging Adulthood Insights From Information Technology Occupations

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Career Development Studies

Background:

• Social-contextual experiences are theorized to influence career development, potentially explaining gender and ethnic disparities in various fields.
• Understanding these influences is crucial for addressing underrepresentation in specific sectors like information technology (IT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the supportive and obstructive social-contextual experiences related to career development.
• To explore gender differences in pathways toward or away from information technology (IT) careers.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed.
• In-depth interviews were conducted with 26 participants (13 men, 13 women, modal age 25).
• Thematic coding was used to analyze interview data focusing on career-related experiences.

Main Results:

• Parental support was generally high, but school and work experiences sometimes led to career plan reconsiderations.
• Social influences evolved developmentally, particularly after participants entered full-time employment.
• Women often perceived the IT field as male-dominated, contributing to gendered participation.

Conclusions:

• Social-contextual factors play a dynamic role throughout an individual's career trajectory.
• Perceived gender orientation of a field, like IT, can be a significant barrier to women's entry and participation.
• Interventions should consider the evolving nature of social influences and address gendered perceptions in career development.