Public Preferences for Science Occupations in the U.S.: The Influence of Public Perception of Scientists and Science

Abstract

S&T workforce in the U.S. might not be sustainable in the near Abstract-This study is to address what factors influence future without enhanced efforts to attract more domestic talents Americans' preferences for science occupations with the analysis to S&T enterprise. of the NSF-sponsored Survey of Public Attitudes Toward and This study is to address the questions of how much Understanding of Science and Technology conducted in 2001. Americans q People's positive perception of scientists and science tend to valu e sciene occupations and wt factrisaffe strengthen the preference. Women are more likely than men to be their valuation of the occupations. This study's focus is the sensitive to the danger of scientific work. People who choose effect of the perception of science and scientists on the biology as their major are more likely to value science occupations valuation. Previous research shows that people's perception than those with other majors. However, female biology majors are about occupations tends to affect their career choice [4], [5].less likely to value the occupations than their male counterparts. Also, it is reported that people's career choice is influenced by With this negative influence of being a female biology major, the '