The paper focuses on the analysis of the social factors that contribute to women's access to mathematically-oriented fields. The study presented here utilizes data from 20 standardized qualitative interviews conducted with women studying in science and engineering fields. The theoretical framework of the article is the theory of self-efficacy by Albert Bandura. Following its predictions, an a strong sense self-efficacy regarding one's own mathematical competence is an important factor in choosing mathematical paths of studies. In addition, an important motivating role is also played by emotional arousal and vicarious experience.