Vocational Anticipatory Socialization of Adolescents: Messages, Sources, and Frameworks That Influence Interest in STEM Careers

Abstract

By high school, many students have dropped out of the pipeline that will lead to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) occupations. We examine the role of vocational anticipatory socialization (VAS)—the types of messages adolescents receive, message sources, and adolescents' frameworks—on youth's educational and vocational interests. Adolescents (37 focus groups, N = 229) reported that they received two types of VAS messages: personal fulfillment (advising students to prioritize their well-being) and career detail (advising students about specific aspects of an occupation). Adolescents used three career frameworks (enjoyment, ability, and goal) that filtered and often magnified VAS messages and experiences. We extend VAS research by identifying two primary purposes of the career advice embedded in VAS messages and three career frameworks. Practical implication are that parents can affect adolescents' beliefs about their abilities and potential enjoyment of STEM careers by supplementing personal fulfillment messages with career detail messages. Individuals in STEM occupations are in the best position to encourage adolescents by offering career detail, discussing how their career can be rewarding and how math and science classes can influence their career attainment.