- Participants were male (368) and female (346) first and second year graduate students from the top 15 STEM programs in the US. 
- In 1993, the researchers administered surveys pertaining to work preferences that influence career trajectories. - developed by experts in applied psychological sciences
- In 2003, an abbreviated and updated (questions changed from hypothetical to actual) survey was administered. 


San Jose State University

Ferriman et al. assessed the work preferences of male and female first or second-year STEM graduate students. They reassessed the participants again 10 years to measure:
- (a) changes in male and female work preferences 
- (b) if any differences in work preferences between the genders emerged within this career development period. 
- (c) if any meaningful gender differences emerged in parenthood.

Gender Differences in Work Preferences  for STEM Students

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

Methodology For Study 1: Work Preferences of Top STEM Graduates (10 year period)

- 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. 

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