Effect of Stem on Employment Preference: A Study of University of Ghana Level 400 Students

Abstract

This study investigates how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education influences the employment preferences of final-year undergraduate students at the University of Ghana. Ghana's educational policies have sought to boost youth involvement, particularly among females, in light of the global emphasis on STEM as a driver of economic growth. However, there is still much to learn about how gender and educational background— STEM or non-STEM affect students' career decisions. Using data from final year students, this research employs Propensity Score Matching and Logit Regression models to assess the causal effect of the type of education on employment preferences. The findings show that students with a STEM background are significantly more likely to prefer employment in STEM-related fields. However, gender was not a statistically significant predictor of preference, even though males were more likely to gravitate toward fields like engineering and computer science, while females leaned toward life sciences and education-related roles. Employment earnings and working conditions, such as hours and job security, were major factors influencing students' preferences.