Can you get a job with that? Student endorsement of misconceptions and stereotypes about Women's and Gender Studies

Abstract

University students today are increasingly concerned with social justice issues and the relevance of their degrees and skills in the job market. Enrollment in Women's and Gender Studies (WGST) programs are decreasing, and university administrators must better understand student perceptions of WGST programs to promote recruitment and retention. This exploratory study used an online survey to assess the attitudes of 141 first-year students. Students indicated how often they had heard 38 different statements about WGST (e.g., WGST is easy) and how much they agreed with those statements. All students recognized the benefits WGST provides to social change. However, women were more likely than men to endorse positive statements toward WGST, and many students do not understand the applicability of WGST degrees and how they could help in the job market. We discuss the implications of these findings and how WGST can improve student recruitment and retention at their universities.