Values & Beliefs and Career Choice

Last week I traveled to Pennsylvania to present a workshop to counselors, educators, and career services staff at a community college outside of Pittsburgh. My presentation was titled, "Gender Tune-Up: Shifting Nontraditional Enrollment & Retention into High Gear." I offered strategies on how to get more males into programs that prepare them for female-dominated careers and more females into the programs that prepare them for male-dominated careers.

I talk about how socialization and gender stereotypes impact a student's career decision-making. It starts at birth when girls are dressed in pink and boys are dressed in blue. Girls are given dolls to play with and boys trucks and trains. It continues throughout childhood when boys are expected to mow the lawn and take out trash, while girls are asked to help clean the house and wash dishes. Growing up, parents, teachers, counselors, etc. often encourage children to pursue a career that is "traditional" for their gender, rather than one based on the individual's interests and aptitude. It's important for students to be aware of all of their career options. That's why awareness of our own values and beliefs is so important in order for us to not limit a student's career choice based on gender stereotypes.