ITWF: The Influence of Gender, University Majors, and Work Experiences on Perceptions and Choice of IT Careers

EIA-0305146 Angela M. O'Donnell Rutgers University-New Brunswick Title: The Influence of Gender, University Majors, and Work Experiences on Perceptions and Choice of IT Careers This ITWF award provides support to study the extent to which 1. Gender, attitudes, perceptions, work experiences, and competencies influence the choice by students of IT-related majors collectively and non-IT majors. 2. Gender, attitudes, perceptions, work experiences, and competencies influence the choice by students in different IT-related majors (Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Technology). 3. Specific technology-involved work experience influences attitudes and perceptions of the IT workforce, interest in IT careers, and choices about continuing with this type of work for more than one year. 4. Recent graduates are working in jobs related to information technology and the degree to which gender, attitudes, perceptions, and work experience during college influence post-graduation career choice among the four different groups of students in this study. 5. Recent graduates believe themselves to be prepared for the IT workforce. The project will take place over 3 years in a number of departments and on several campuses of Rutgers University. The study combines quantitative and qualitative approaches to understand how men and women make career decisions while in school.