Full Citation

Title: Soldiers to Scientists: Military Service, Gender, and STEM Degree Earning

Citation Type: Journal Article

Publication Year: 2020

ISBN:

ISSN:

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2378023120948713

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Abstract: The authors use 2014–2018 data from the American Community Survey to answer two questions: To what extent is military service associated with higher rates of earning a bachelor’s degree in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field (vs. a non-STEM field)? To what extent is this relationship gendered? The findings suggest that military service is associated with higher odds of completing a STEM degree and that this association is particularly strong for female veterans. Comparison across multiple STEM definitions suggests that military service does not simply channel women into traditionally female-dominated STEM fields. Instead, the findings show the biggest boost for women earning degrees in traditionally male-dominated STEM fields. The authors situate these findings in light of extant empirical and theoretical research on gender gaps in STEM and discuss implications for policy and research.

Url: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2378023120948713

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Authors: Steidl, Christina; Werum, Regina; Harcey, Sela; Absalon, Jacob; MillerMacPhee, Alice

Periodical (Full): Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World

Issue:

Volume: 6

Pages: 1-11

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Education, Gender

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