Finding a job: An intersectional analysis of search strategies and outcomes among U.S. STEM graduates. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Glass, Jennifer; Takasaki, Kara; Sassler, Sharon; Parker, Emily
• Is Part Of: Research in social stratification and mobility. Volume 83(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Job search -- STEM occupations -- Diversity -- Race -- Gender; Social mobility -- Periodicals; Occupational mobility -- Periodicals; Social status -- Periodicals; Social conflict -- Periodicals; Social classes -- Periodicals; Mobilité sociale -- Périodiques; Mobilité professionnelle -- Périodiques; Statut social -- Périodiques; Conflits sociaux -- Périodiques; Classes sociales -- Périodiques; 305.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rssm.2023.100758
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0276-5624

Abstract

Abstract: Many STEM degree holders, especially women and minorities, are not employed in STEM occupations in the United States, and transitions into the STEM labor force among recent graduates have been declining since the 1980′s. We examine transitions from school to work at two large U.S. universities in 2015–16, focusing on the internship experiences and job search strategies of graduating chemistry and chemical engineering majors. Surprisingly, 28% of our STEM respondents had no post-graduation plans, though women were significantly more likely than men to already have a job. Overall race differences in post-graduation plans were insignificant, though Black and Hispanic students were more likely to have no post-graduation plans compared to Whites and Asians. While Black, Hispanic, and LGBT students reported fewer job search behaviors overall, potentially explaining this pattern, no gender differences in job search behaviors or internship experiences emerged to explain women's employment advantage. However, better grades led to early job offers, reducing most of women's initial hiring advantage along with positive internship experiences, which did not alter men's likelihood of a job offer but were associated with a higher likelihood of a job offer among women. Highlights: 28% of recent college STEM graduates have no job or graduate school plans. Women in STEM across race and class are more likely to have jobs by graduation. Hispanic, Black, LGBQ and less affluent STEM students are more likely to have no postgraduate plans.