Literature review
Kripa Poudel
Title: The Role of Gender in Career Preferences Among College Students in
Australia
Objective: To evaluate how gender influences career preferences among
Australian college students.
Methodology:
Data Analysis: Utilized data from the Department of Education’s Selected
Students Statistics collection and reports from the Workplace Gender Equality
Agency.
Research Design: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed to assess
enrollment patterns and career preferences across different fields of study.
Sample Size: Analyzed enrollment data from Australian universities, focusing on
gender distribution across various disciplines.
Data Period: Data from the years 2018 to 2022 were examined to identify trends
and patterns.
Results:
The analysis revealed persistent gender imbalances in higher education enrollments:
Female-Dominated Fields: Women comprised a significant majority in disciplines
such as Education, Health, Creative Arts, and Society and Culture.
Male-Dominated Fields: Men were predominantly enrolled in Information Technology
and Engineering-related technologies.
Overall Enrollment: In 2022, only 40.4% of domestic undergraduate students were
male, indicating a substantial gender gap in higher education participation.
Conclusion:
Gender continues to play a significant role in shaping career preferences among
Australian college students, with noticeable segregation in fields of study. Despite
efforts to promote gender equality, traditional gender roles and stereotypes persist,
influencing students’ choices and contributing to ongoing disparities in higher
education and the workforce.
Recommendations:
Awareness Programs: Implement regular initiatives to educate students about the
impact of gender stereotypes on career choices and encourage exploration of
non-traditional fields.
Policy Interventions: Develop and enforce policies that promote gender diversity
in all academic disciplines, including scholarships and support programs for
underrepresented genders in specific fields.
Further Research: Conduct longitudinal studies to assess the effectiveness of
interventions aimed at reducing gender disparities in career preferences and to
understand the evolving dynamics of gender roles in education and employment.
