It is widely known that women are minoritized in chemistry faculty positions in many institutions across this nation. As a part of a larger project that analyzes if women’s experiences in graduate school discourages them from applying to these faculty positions, this interview was performed to ensure that appropriate questions regarding women’s experiences are asked on the survey that is being developed to be send out to a larger population. With an effort to represent women of all identities, we interviewed 9 women chemistry graduate students of diverse racial and sexual identities in different programs. These women were asked what their career interests are and why, what careers have been ruled out and why, what they would like to do for a job in an ideal world, and what supports and barriers they expect to encounter. Based on the Social Cognitive Career Theory, themes regarding their 1) interest in specific tasks, 2) previous experiences, 3) perception of their abilities, 4) expectation of what will happen in the process of pursuing a position and 5) expectation of what will happen after achieving their career goal on their interest in a particular career were analyzed. This study will show the factors which should be considered in order to attract women to chemistry faculty positions.

Using social cognitive career theory to investigate career interests and faculty career perceptions of graduate women in chemistry

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.