Download ppt - Intended Majors and Career Interests: Men and Women Really Are from Different Planets

Intended Majors and Career Interests: Men and Women Really Are from Different Planets

Debra FitzGeraldSenior Consultant, Client Outreach

ACT Midwest Region

Tim OsbornSenior Consultant, Program Solutions

ACT Midwest Region

Expressed and Measured Interests

• With respect to intended majors and careers, ACT collects two types of information:

• Expressed Interests:– When students register for the ACT they are

asked to specify an intended major (from a choice of 295) and an occupational choice (from the same list of 295).

• Measured Interests:– When students register for the ACT they are

asked to complete a 72 item Interest Inventory that diagnoses their career interest and places the student’s interests on the ACT World of Work Map.

Goals of the Presentation• During the presentation we will look at

differences in expressed and measured major and career interests between men and women

• We will also look at how the gender differences correlate to student preferences for 4-year public and 4-year private institutions

Intended Majors by Male/Female Ratio and ACT Composite Score Bands

• The first table shows majors where male and female interest is strongest- Red: females more than 50% more likely to

have this intended major- Green: males more than 50% more likely

to have this intended major

• For convenience of reporting, the 295 individual majors are “rolled up” into 18 groupings of similar majors

Planned Major 1-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28-32 33-36Agriculture & Natural Res Conservation 0.39 0.40 0.53 0.79 1.14 1.60Architecture 0.27 0.29 0.38 0.59 0.82 1.43Area, Ethnic, & Multidisciplinary Studies 0.75 1.02 0.99 1.27 1.40 1.40Arts: Visual & Performing 0.98 1.12 1.28 1.40 1.50 1.57Business 0.63 0.61 0.57 0.57 0.61 0.71Communications 0.77 1.03 1.42 1.83 2.19 2.05Community, Family, & Personal Services 1.48 1.18 1.10 1.27 1.70 3.34Computer Science & Mathematics 0.25 0.18 0.18 0.20 0.28 0.43Education 1.69 1.88 2.27 2.67 2.91 3.78Engineering 0.09 0.09 0.12 0.18 0.28 0.45Engineering Technology & Drafting 0.09 0.09 0.10 0.13 0.17 0.26English & Foreign Languages 1.57 2.00 2.26 2.60 2.93 2.88Health Administration & Assisting 4.11 3.26 2.32 1.75 1.27 0.83Health Scences & Technologies 3.48 2.73 2.30 1.99 1.69 1.49Philosophy, Religion, & Theology 0.63 0.59 0.56 0.59 0.56 0.49Repair, Production, & Construction 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.12 0.12Sciences: Biological & Physical 1.39 1.20 1.14 1.14 1.12 1.17Social Sciences & Law 1.55 1.49 1.52 1.51 1.45 1.41Undecided 0.78 0.74 0.80 0.92 1.08 1.21

ACT Composite Score Range

Intended Major by Female/Male Ratio and ACT Composite Score Band

Intended Majors by Frequency• The next two tables show intended majors

by frequency and ACT Composite Score bands– The percents are the comparative frequency

within each score band (total N = 1,540,876)• The second table also shows majors

where male and female interest is strongest– Light Red: females more than 50% more likely

to have this intended major– Light Green: males more than 50% more likely

to have this intended major

Intended Major by Column Frequency and ACT Composite Score Band

Red: >9%Green: <6%

Comparative Frequency of Intended MajorsPlanned Major 1-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28-32 33-36Agriculture & Natural Res Conservation 2% 2% 2% 1% 1% 0%Architecture 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%Area, Ethnic, & Multidisciplinary Studies 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1%Arts: Visual & Performing 8% 7% 7% 7% 6% 3%Business 11% 11% 11% 10% 8% 6%Communications 2% 2% 3% 3% 2% 1%Community, Family, & Personal Services 8% 6% 3% 2% 1% 0%Computer Science & Mathematics 2% 2% 3% 3% 3% 5%Education 6% 8% 8% 6% 4% 2%Engineering 5% 4% 5% 7% 10% 16%Engineering Technology & Drafting 3% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4%English & Foreign Languages 1% 1% 1% 2% 3% 2%Health Administration & Assisting 5% 3% 2% 1% 1% 0%Health Scences & Technologies 19% 22% 22% 19% 16% 13%Philosophy, Religion, & Theology 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 1%Repair, Production, & Construction 3% 2% 1% 0% 0% 0%Sciences: Biological & Physical 3% 4% 6% 9% 12% 17%Social Sciences & Law 6% 7% 8% 8% 9% 7%Undecided 15% 14% 15% 16% 18% 20%


Intended Major by Column Frequency and ACT Composite Score Band & Strong Male/Female Interest

ACT Composite Scores by Gender

• The next chart shows the percentage of men and women whose ACT Composite score falls in particular ability bands– More women than men test in total– Men are over-represented at the highest and

lowest score bands– Women are over-represented at the middle

ability levels• Thus, the ability bands with the most total

tested students (ACT 16-24) have the largest gap between male and female testers: 10-13%.

ACT Composite by Gender and Ability Band

Intended Majors by 4-yr Public/Private Ratio and ACT Composite Score Bands

• The next table shows majors by preferred institution type− Red: greater than a ratio of 1, 4-yr private

more likely to have this intended major− Green: less than a ratio of 1, 4-yr public

more likely to have this intended major

Intended Major by 4-year Priv/4-year Pub Ratio and ACT Comp. Score Band

4-yr Priv/4-yr Public RatioPlanned Major 1-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28-32 33-36Agriculture & Natural Res Conservation 0.87 0.57 0.40 0.33 0.25 0.22Architecture 0.98 0.83 0.79 0.74 0.73 0.70Area, Ethnic, & Multidisciplinary Studies 1.83 1.52 2.06 2.53 2.46 2.28Arts: Visual & Performing 1.31 1.40 1.43 1.40 1.27 1.17Business 1.02 1.07 1.05 1.02 1.04 1.13Communications 1.27 1.30 1.29 1.18 1.04 0.78Community, Family, & Personal Services 0.84 0.82 0.73 0.68 0.66 0.40Computer Science & Mathematics 0.97 0.79 0.78 0.78 0.77 0.83Education 1.08 1.10 1.06 0.97 0.89 0.74Engineering 0.80 0.77 0.76 0.72 0.65 0.67Engineering Technology & Drafting 0.80 0.80 0.73 0.70 0.62 0.71English & Foreign Languages 1.40 1.52 1.59 1.67 1.80 1.60Health Administration & Assisting 0.80 0.70 0.72 0.68 0.75 0.86Health Scences & Technologies 0.87 0.85 0.86 0.86 0.82 0.84Philosophy, Religion, & Theology 4.97 6.18 5.87 4.41 3.93 3.74Repair, Production, & Construction 0.86 0.60 0.57 0.56 0.44 0.25Sciences: Biological & Physical 1.24 1.18 1.14 1.13 1.13 1.23Social Sciences & Law 1.24 1.18 1.24 1.32 1.50 1.58Undecided 0.92 0.95 0.92 0.99 1.11 1.19


Correlations by Gender and Institution Type Preference• Majority Male and 4-yr Public− Agric. & Natural Res Conservation (ACT 1-27)− Architecture (ACT 1-32)− Computer Science & Math− Engineering− Engineering Technology & Drafting− Repair, Production & Construction− Undecided (ACT 1-27)

Correlations by Gender and Institution Type Preference

• Majority Female and 4-yr Public‒ Agric. & Natural Res Conservation (ACT 28-36)‒ Architecture (ACT 33-36)‒ Communications (ACT 33-36)‒ Community, Family & Personal Services‒ Education (ACT 24-26)‒ Health Administration & Assisting (ACT 1-32)‒ Health Sciences & Technologies

Correlations by Gender and Institution Type Preference• Majority Male and 4-yr Private

‒ Area, Ethnic & Multidisciplinary (ACT 1-15; 20-23)

‒ Arts: Visual & Performing (ACT 1-15)‒ Business (strong male; slightly more

private)‒ Communications (ACT 1-15)‒ Philosophy, Religion & Theology

Correlations by Gender and Institution Type Preference• Majority Female and 4-yr Private

– Area, Ethnic & Multidisciplinary (ACT 16-19; 24-36)

– Arts: Visual and Performing (ACT 16-36)– Communications (ACT 16-32)– Education (ACT 1-23)– English & Foreign Languages– Sciences: Biological & Physical– Social Sciences & Law– Undecided (ACT 28-36)

Intended Major by Frequency and ACT Composite Score Band• The table on the next slide shows how

student interest in intended major changes as ability level rises.– The columns labeled “1-15” and “33-36” show

the relative rank from 1 to 18 of student interest in the majors in that grouping

– The column labeled “Trend 1-36” shows how the ranks change from 1-15 to 33-36 and are sorted to show the groups that gain the most in frequency rank

– You will note that the groups of majors that gain the most are the most math-intensive and reading-intensive

Intended Major by Frequency Rank and ACT Composite Score Band

ACT Interest Inventory andWorld of Work Map• The next part of the presentation shows

data for the ACT Interest Inventory and World of Work Map Regions‒ Gender differences are highlighted as are

differences among students preferring to attend 4-year public and 4-year private institutions

ACT World of Work Map

The ACT Interest Inventory measures six major types of interest. The six standard scores and percentile ranks are based on a nationally representative sample of grade 12 students.

On the World-of-Work Map, region indicators help the student relate work activity preferences, as assessed by the ACT Interest Inventory, to groups of occupations. The World-of-Work Map appears on the back of the College Report.

Educational and Vocational PlansA major and first vocational choice, selected by the student from an extensive list of educational majors and vocational choices - VERY SURE, FAIRLY SURE, or NOT SURE.

Student's ultimate degree objective from among the following:•BUS/TECH CERTIFICATE—vocational/technical or certificate program •ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE (2 YR)—two-year college degree •BACHELOR'S DEGREE (4 YR)—bachelor's degree program •GRAD STUDY/MASTER'S LEVEL—one or two years of graduate study (MA, MBA, etc.) •DOCTORATE/PROF DEGREE—professional level degree (PhD, MD, JD, etc.) •OTHER

Interest Inventory by Male/Female Ratio and ACT Comp. Score Bands• The next table shows Map Regions

where male and female interest is strongest‒ Red: females more than 50% more likely to

be in this Map Region‒ Green: males more than 50% more likely

to be in this Map Region

Interest Inventory by Female/Male Ratio and ACT Composite Score Band

Fem/Male RatioMap Region 1 1-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28-32 33-36

1 1.75 1.48 1.28 1.19 1.10 0.982 1.82 1.46 1.20 1.07 0.98 0.813 1.06 0.92 0.82 0.78 0.79 0.924 0.58 0.58 0.61 0.72 0.91 1.235 0.50 0.46 0.50 0.56 0.68 0.926 0.50 0.44 0.42 0.41 0.43 0.537 0.75 0.70 0.69 0.67 0.66 0.738 1.32 1.27 1.14 1.02 0.95 1.019 1.50 1.61 1.55 1.42 1.29 1.2310 1.70 1.87 1.94 1.96 2.00 1.9111 1.79 1.86 2.02 2.03 2.03 2.0212 1.99 1.88 1.82 1.75 1.72 1.4099 1.00 0.95 0.87 0.86 0.87 0.92


Selected Careers in Map Regions where Female Interest is Strongest: People & Ideas; People & Data

• Map Region 1 (ACT 1-15)– Human resources management & training

• Map Region 2 (1-15)– Marketing & sales

• Map Region 9 (ACT 16-23)– Medical technologies

• Map Region 10– Applied arts (visual); medical diagnosis & treatment; social

science• Map Region 11

– Applied arts (written & spoken); creative & performing arts• Map Region 12

– Community services; education; health care

Selected Careers in Map Regions where Male Interest is Strongest: Data & Things; (Things & Ideas)

• Map Region 4 (ACT 1-23)– Financial transactions; communications & records

• Map Region 5 (1-27)– Distribution & dispatching

• Map Region 6 – Ag/forestry & related; transport operation & related;

computer/info specialties• Map Region 7 (ACT 24-32)

– Construction & maintenance; mechanical & electrical specialties; crafts & related; manufacturing & processing

Map Regions by 4-yr Public/Private Colleges Ratio and ACT Composite Score Bands• The next table shows Map Regions by

preferred institution type‒ Red: greater than a ratio of 1, 4-yr private

more likely to be in this Map Region

‒ Green: less than a ratio of 1, 4-yr publicmore likely to be in this Map Region

Interest Inventory by 4-year Priv/4-year Pub Ratio and ACT Comp. Score Band

Map Region 1 1-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28-32 33-361 0.98 0.99 1.03 1.08 1.18 1.162 0.92 1.02 1.07 1.10 1.17 1.283 1.06 0.94 0.94 0.90 0.90 0.894 0.93 0.85 0.78 0.75 0.76 0.795 0.91 0.79 0.78 0.75 0.71 0.746 0.92 0.83 0.78 0.75 0.71 0.747 0.91 0.95 0.87 0.87 0.86 0.868 1.14 1.04 1.02 0.97 0.97 1.029 1.11 1.11 1.10 1.10 1.11 1.1410 1.18 1.19 1.21 1.20 1.21 1.1611 1.10 1.24 1.23 1.27 1.26 1.4012 1.06 1.14 1.20 1.23 1.31 1.2199 1.02 0.99 1.00 1.01 1.01 1.14


Map Regions by Frequency• The next three tables shows Map Regions by

frequency and ACT Composite Score bands‒ The percents listed are the comparative frequency

within each score band (total N = 1,375,273)

• The tables also show Map Regions where male and female interest is strongest (also

2-yr)‒ Red: >9% of students in an ability band‒ Green: <6% of students in an ability band

Interest Inventory by Column Frequency and ACT Composite Score Band

Female Students

Red: >9%Green: <6%

FemaleMap Region 1 1-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28-32 33-36

1 11% 10% 8% 7% 6% 4%2 10% 9% 8% 8% 7% 6%3 6% 4% 4% 4% 3% 4%4 7% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4%5 9% 7% 6% 6% 6% 7%6 6% 6% 5% 5% 5% 6%7 7% 8% 8% 8% 8% 9%8 7% 9% 10% 11% 13% 17%9 7% 10% 13% 15% 17% 19%

10 5% 7% 9% 10% 10% 8%11 7% 8% 9% 9% 8% 5%12 7% 8% 8% 8% 7% 5%99 11% 8% 7% 7% 6% 6%



Male Students

Red: >9%Green: <6%

Male Map Region 1 1-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28-32 33-36

1 6% 7% 7% 6% 5% 4%2 6% 6% 7% 7% 7% 7%3 5% 5% 5% 5% 4% 4%4 11% 8% 7% 5% 4% 3%5 18% 15% 12% 10% 8% 8%6 13% 13% 12% 12% 12% 12%7 10% 11% 11% 11% 12% 13%8 5% 7% 9% 11% 14% 17%9 5% 6% 8% 10% 13% 15%

10 3% 4% 5% 5% 5% 4%11 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3%12 4% 4% 5% 5% 4% 3%99 11% 9% 8% 8% 7% 7%



2-Yr Public Students

Red: >9%Green: <6%

2-Yr PublicMap Region 1 1-15 16-19 20-23 24-27 28-32 33-36

1 8% 7% 6% 4% 4% 6%2 7% 6% 6% 5% 6% 0%3 6% 4% 4% 4% 2% 0%4 10% 8% 7% 7% 6% 0%5 15% 14% 12% 12% 12% 28%6 11% 11% 10% 11% 12% 17%7 9% 10% 11% 12% 13% 22%8 6% 8% 11% 12% 15% 22%9 5% 7% 9% 11% 10% 6%

10 4% 5% 7% 7% 7% 0%11 5% 6% 5% 5% 5% 0%12 5% 5% 5% 4% 2% 0%99 10% 8% 7% 7% 6% 0%


Summary of Data on Measured & Expressed Interests & Preferred Inst. Type

Conclusions• Male and female students have clearly different

patterns of intended majors and Interest Inventory Map Regions

• As ability levels rise, students choose intended majors that are more math & reading intensive

• On the Interest Inventory, female students predominant in the two “people areas”: people and ideas & people and data

• On the Interest Inventory, male students predominant in the two “things areas”: data and things & things and ideas

Conclusions (continued)

• Students preferring 4-yr publics are predominant in Map Regions 3-7 (data and things)

• Students preferring 4-yr privates are predominant in Map Regions 8-2 (ideas and people)

• The differences between 4-yr public and private not as strong as differences between male and female

Implications• Students choosing selective public and private

universities seem to have intended majors and interests that fit mission of those schools

• Students choosing regional publics and 2-yr publics seem to have intended majors and interests that fit mission of those schools

Implications (continued)• What about non-selective liberal arts colleges, especially

those looking for more men?

– There may be potential mismatches between ability level of enrolled students and interest in liberal arts areas

– Male students at middle and lower ability levels more tuned to 4-yr public and less tuned to liberal arts majors

– Non-selective privates may enroll more students primarily choosing institution for non-academic reasons: involvement in athletics, other activities, environment, small classes, academic support, etc.

A Word about the Relationship between Ability, Majors, and Interest Inventory

• ACT calculates a “Fit Index” to measure the congruence between intended major and Interest Inventory Scores– Students at lower ability levels have less

congruence than students at higher ability levels– Put differently, higher ability students may be

making more thoughtful and appropriate choices

• Beginning in September 2012, ACT will begin appending 5 new data elements to the ACT Score Report:− Interest-Major Fit score − Four predictive modeling indexes

Major Enhancement to the ACT Electronic Record

− The Fit score shows the strength of the relationship between a student’s profile of interests and the profile of interests of students in a given major.

− Interest-major fit clearly benefits both students and the college they attend: students in “good-fit majors” are more likely to stay in college, stay in their major and finish sooner.

The Interest-Major Fit Index

Predicting Enrollment Behavior with Four Indexes

− The Mobility Index predicts the likelihood of a student enrolling at an out-of-state institution

− The Institution Type Index predicts the likelihood of a student enrolling at a private institution

− The Selectivity Index predicts the selectivity of the institution at which the student is likely to enroll

− The Institution Size Index predicts the size of the institution at which the student is likely to enroll

Variables Included in the Four IndexesAcademic Variables Demographic Variables

ACT Composite Home community size

High school GPA High school enrollment

Years of foreign language Type of high school

Program of study in HS Enrollment Preference Variables

Years of math coursework Campus mix (score sending pattern)

Highest degree expected Level of college choice

Student Characteristic Variables

Preferred college size

Planned work hours in college Preferred college type

Family income Intended major (7 groups)

Involvement in science Preferred distance home to campus

Involvement in athletics No college in mind

Involvement in music Scores sent to comm. college