In general, females placed more value on:
- communal perspectives
- holistic perspectives
- emphasis on relationships
- less time for career

San Jose State University

- There were many work preferences that were rated with the same level of importance for both genders over time. 
- some preferences changed in parallel for both genders over time.
- some gender differences in work preferences persist over time. 
- parenthood greatly influences female work preferences. 

Results from Study 1: Work Preferences of Top STEM Graduates

Ferriman, Kimberley, Lubinski, David, & Benbow, Camilla P. (2009). Work Preferences, Life Values, and Personal Views of Top Math/Science Graduate Students and the Profoundly Gifted. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 97(3), 517–532. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016030

Work Preferences, Life Values, and Personal Views of Top Math/Science Graduate Students and the Profoundly Gifted

The points represent items that demonstrate statistically significant changes for men or women over time. the X value represents change for males and the Y value represents change for females. If a point has a positive X and Y value, then the change over time has been positive for both males and females. If the values are both negative, then the preference has decreased over time for both genders... and so on. 

Change in importance of work preferences STEM graduate students over time by gender

The points represent items that demonstrate statistically significant gender differences between two time points. The X value represents the gender difference at age 25 and the Y value represents the gender difference at age 35. If a point has a positive X and Y value (NE quadrant), then the preference was more important for male students (higher mean) at both time points. If a point has a negative X and Y value (SW quadrant), then the preference was more important for female students (higher mean) at both time points.

- NOTE: the larger number of legend items shows that men and women had more similar work preferences throughout time. 

Gender differences in importance of work preferences at both time points among STEM
graduate students

In general, males placed more value on:
- creating high-impact products
- compensation
- risk-taking
- recognition

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