A Conceptual Paper: STEM Career Interest and Career Readiness

This conceptual paper examines the role of STEM career interest in predicting career readiness among Malaysian secondary school students in STEM streams. Guided by Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), the paper positions career interest as an affective motivational construct that drives students to engage in exploration, planning and decision-making behaviours associated with readiness for future study and work. Within SCCT, cognitive beliefs such as career self-efficacy and career outcome expectations are recognised as antecedents that shape career interest formation. However, this paper focuses specifically on the direct motivational pathway linking STEM career interest to career readiness. Drawing on theoretical and empirical literature, the discussion explains how sustained career interest in STEM domains enhances persistence, proactive engagement and informed career decision-making, all of which signify readiness to pursue STEM pathways. By synthesising current evidence and highlighting key gaps in Malaysian secondary education research, this paper underscores the importance of prioritising STEM career interest as a central motivational determinant of career readiness and calls for future empirical studies to test this relationship within the Malaysian context.

STEM career interest; career readiness; Social Cognitive Career Theory

1. Abd. Karim, N. I., & Mohd Rasdi, R. (2021). The Interplay between Career Decision Making Efficacy, Career Exposure and Career Choice of Undergraduates: Does Gender Matters? International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 11(19), 131–146. https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i19/11722 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Agherdien, N. (2014). Investigating student readiness for tertiary education. December, 247. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Amalina, I. K., Vidákovich, T., & Karimova, K. (2025). Factors influencing student interest in STEM careers: motivational, cognitive, and socioeconomic status. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04446-2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Amatan, M. A., Gregory K Han, C., & Pang, V. (2025). The Rasch Model Analysis of Secondary School Teachers’ Acceptance of STEM Implementation in Teaching and Learning in Labuan. Journal of Applied Science Engineering Technology and Education, 7(2), 256–269. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Ananthram, S., Bawa, S., Bennett, D., & Gill, C. (2024). Perceived employability and career readiness among STEM students: does gender matter? Higher Education Research and Development, 43(2), 267–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2023.2240710 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Ashari, Z. H. M., Azman, N., & Rasul, M. S. (2019). Factors predicting career choice among Malaysian students in skills-based training institutions. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 19(1), 19–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-018-9366-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Azhenov, A., Kudysheva, A., Fominykh, N., & Tulekova, G. (2023). Career decision-making readiness among students’ in the system of higher education: career course intervention. Frontiers in Education, 8(August), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1097993 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Balfanz, R., & Byrnes, V. (2019). College, Career and Life Readiness: A Look at High School Indicators of Post-Secondary Outcomes in Boston. Boston Foundation. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED596471%0Ahttps://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED596471.pdf [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Blotnicky, K. A., Franz-Odendaal, T., French, F., & Joy, P. (2018). A study of the correlation between STEM career knowledge, mathematics self-efficacy, career interests, and career activities on the likelihood of pursuing a STEM career among middle school students. International Journal of STEM Education, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-018-0118-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Castro-Villarreal, F., Walls, C., Cassill, A., & Sass, D. A. (2025). Investigating the factors that influence Science and Math education as a career path: Implications for teacher recruitment. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 9(June 2024), 100503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2025.100503 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Chen, Y., So, W. W. M., Zhu, J., & Chiu, S. W. K. (2024). STEM learning opportunities and career aspirations: the interactive effect of students’ self-concept and perceptions of STEM professionals. International Journal of STEM Education, 11(1), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-024-00466-7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Christensen, R., & Knezek, G. (2017). Relationship of Middle School Student STEM Interest to Career Intent. Journal of Education in Science, Environment and Health, 3(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.21891/jeseh.45721 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Freeman, B., Marginson, S., & Tytler, R. (2019). An International View of STEM Education. In A. Sahin & M. J. Mohr-Schroeder (Eds.), STEM Education 2.0: Myths and Truths: What Has Years of K-12 STEM Education Research Taught Us? (Issue August, pp. 350–363). Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004405400_019 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Golegou, E., & Peppas, K. (2025). Approaches to Stem Education around the World, What We can Learn from Them. NPRC Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2(4), 160–178. https://doi.org/10.3126/nprcjmr.v2i4.76925 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Hadaria, S. S., Sugiyo, S., & Sutoyo, A. (2022). The Effects of Outcome Expectations on Career Planning Mediated by Career Interest in Mathematics and Career Decision Making Self-Efficacy. Jurnal Bimbingan Konseling, 11(3), 246–252. https://journal.unnes.ac.id/sju/jubk/article/download/65737/23701/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Harackiewicz, J. M., Rozek, C. S., Hulleman, C. S., & Hyde, J. S. (2012). Helping Parents to Motivate Adolescents in Mathematics and Science: An Experimental Test of a Utility-Value Intervention. Psychological Science, 23(8), 899–906. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797611435530 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Hernández-Pérez, M., Alonso-Sánchez, J. A., Hernández-Castellano, P. M., & Quevedo-Gutiérrez, E. G. (2024). The lack of STEM vocations and gender gap in secondary education students. Frontiers in Education, 9(October), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1428952 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Hirschi, A. (2011). Career-choice readiness in adolescence: Developmental trajectories and individual differences. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 79(2), 340–348. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2011.05.005 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Hirschi, A., & Lage, D. (2007). The relation of secondary students’ career-choice readiness to a six-phase model of career decision making. Journal of Career Development, 34(2), 164–191. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845307307473 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Jamaluddin, F., Razak, A. Z. A., & Rahim, S. S. A. (2025). Navigating the challenges and future pathways of STEM education in Asia-Pacific region: A comprehensive scoping review. STEM Education, 5(1), 53–88. https://doi.org/10.3934/steme.2025004 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Jiang, H., Zhang, L., & Zhang, W. (2024). Influence of career awareness on STEM career interests : examining the roles of self ‑ efficacy , outcome expectations , and gender. International Journal of STEM Education. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-024-00482-7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Katharina, B. (2023). Which countries’ students are getting most involved in STEM? World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/03/which-countries-students-are-getting-most-involved-in-stem/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. (2013). Pelan Pembangunan Pendidikan Malaysia 2013-2025. https://www.moe.gov.my/pppm-2013-2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Kessels, U., & Hannover, B. (2008). When being a girl matters less: Accessibility of gender-related self-knowledge in single-sex and coeducational classes and its impact on students’ physics-related self-concept of ability. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 78(2), 273–289. https://doi.org/10.1348/000709907X215938 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a Unifying Social Cognitive Theory of Career and Academic Interest, Choice, and Performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45(1), 79–122. https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.1994.1027 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Li, J., Mau, W. C. J., Chen, S. J., Lin, T. C., & Lin, T. Y. (2019). A Qualitative Exploration of STEM Career Development of High School Students in Taiwan. Journal of Career Development, 48(2), 120–134. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845319830525 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Luo, T., So, W. W. M., Wan, Z. H., & Li, W. C. (2021). STEM stereotypes predict students’ STEM career interest via self-efficacy and outcome expectations. International Journal of STEM Education, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-021-00295-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Mahmud, M. I. (2017). Kesan Program Kerjaya Psiko-Pendidikan Cognitive Information Processing Terhadap Ketidakfungsian Pemikiran Kerjaya dan Efikasi Kendiri Kerjaya Pelajar di Sebuah Universiti Awam [Doctoral dissertation, Universiti Putra Malaysia]. http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/66041 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Mahmud, M. I., Peng Kee, C., Othamn, Z., & Amat, S. (2020). Career Self-Efficacy among Undergraduate Student in a Public University. Akademika, 90(Zailan 2007), 167–175. https://doi.org/10.17576/akad-2020-90IK3-13 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Makarova, E., Aeschlimann, B., & Herzog, W. (2019). The Gender Gap in STEM Fields: The Impact of the Gender Stereotype of Math and Science on Secondary Students’ Career Aspirations. Frontiers in Education, 4(July). https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2019.00060 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Maltese, A. V., & Tai, R. H. (2011). Pipeline persistence: Examining the association of educational experiences with earned degrees in STEM among U.S. students. Science Education, 95(5), 877–907. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20441 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Mohd Izwan Mahmud, Sidek Mohd Noah, Jamaludin Ahmad, & Wan Marzuki Wan Ahmad. (2016). Modul kesediaan kerjaya berdasarkan teori Cognitive Information Processing (CIP). Jurnal Kurikulum & Pengajaran Asia Pasifik, 4(3), 59–75. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Mudaly, R., & Chirikure, T. (2023). STEM education in the Global North and Global South: competition, conformity, and convenient collaborations. Frontiers in Education, 8(October), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1144399 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. Musa, F., & Mat Rashid, A. (2020). Career Readiness Among Vocational Graduates: Implication of Competency Based Learning. The Journal of Social Sciences Research, 6(66), 633–638. https://doi.org/10.32861/jssr.66.633.638 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. Nor Hazwani, H., & Sheerad, S. (2020). Kemahiran Kesediaan Kerja, Efikasi Kendiri, Tingkah Laku Keusahawanan dan Eksplorasi Kerjaya dalam kalangan Graduan. Akademika, 90(Isu Khas 3), 155–165. https://doi.org/10.17576/akad-2020-90IK3-12 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Porfeli, E. J., & Bora, L. (2012). Career development during childhood and adolescence. New Directions for Youth Development, 2012(134), 11–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/yd.20011 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Quinlan, K. M., & Corbin, J. (2023). How and why do students’ career interests change during higher education? Studies in Higher Education, 48(6), 771–783. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2023.2166916 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Rachmawati, D., Sahid, S., Mahmud, M. I., & Buang, N. A. (2024). Enhancing student career readiness: a two-decade systematic literature review. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education , 13(3), 1301–1310. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v13i3.26485 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Rezayat, F., & Sheu, M. (2020). Attitude and readiness for stem education and careers: A comparison between American and Chinese students. International Journal of Educational Management, 34(1), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEM-07-2018-0200 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Rosenzweig, E. Q., & Chen, X. Y. (2023). Which STEM careers are most appealing? Examining high school students’ preferences and motivational beliefs for different STEM career choices. International Journal of STEM Education, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00427-6 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Sadler, P. M., Sonnert, G., Hazari, Z., & Tai, R. (2012). Stability and volatility of STEM career interest in high school: A gender study. Science Education, 96(3), 411–427. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21007 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Sarsale, J., Lopez, E. N., Alia, L., & Alejandro, B. (2024). STEM Education in ASEAN Countries: Practices and Way Forward. Science Education International, 35(4), 360–368. https://doi.org/10.33828/sei.v35.i4.7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Tang, M. (2019). Career Development and Counseling: Theory and Practice in a Multicultural World. Sage Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071801321 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Tey, T. C. Y., Moses, P., & Cheah, P. K. (2020). Teacher, parental and friend influences on stem interest and career choice intention. Issues in Educational Research, 30(4), 1558–1575. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Thibodeaux, T., Jordan, S., & Kemerly, S. (2025). Student perceptions of STEM camp experience and STEM career pathways: a mixed methods study. Discover Education, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00645-w [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Turner, S. L., Joeng, J. R., Sims, M. D., Dade, S. N., & Reid, M. F. (2017). SES, Gender, and STEM Career Interests, Goals, and Actions: A Test of SCCT. Journal of Career Assessment, 27(1), 134–150. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072717748665 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Villares, E., & Brigman, G. (2019). College/Career Success Skills: Helping Students Experience Postsecondary Success. Professional School Counseling, 22(1b), 2156759X1983444. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759x19834444 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Wang, M. Te, & Degol, J. L. (2017). Gender Gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM): Current Knowledge, Implications for Practice, Policy, and Future Directions. Educational Psychology Review, 29(1), 119–140. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-015-9355-x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Wong, S. T., Wong, S. C., & Lim, C. S. (2023). Predictive modeling of career choices among fresh graduates: application of model selection approach. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-08-2023-0328 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. Yeop Kamarudin, N., & Mohd Kosnin, A. (2022). Integrative Career Readiness Model Using Psychological Construct. Specialusis Ugdymas, 1(43), 10910–10920. http://sumc.lt/index.php/se/article/view/1819/1358 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Zakaria, N., Rubani, S. N. K., Ariffin, A., Hamzah, N., & Nordin, N. S. (2020). Efikasi kendiri, Kemahiran Employabiliti dan Pemilihan Kerjaya dalam Kalangan Pelajar Kolej Vokasiona. Online Journal for TVET Practitioners, 5(2), 71–76. https://doi.org/10.30880/ojtp.2020.05.02.009 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

53. Zhan, Z., & Niu, S. (2023). Subject integration and theme evolution of STEM education in K-12 and higher education research. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02303-8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Impact of Ownership Structure on Dividend Payout Policy of Listed Plantation Companies in Sri Lanka
• Urban Sustainability in North-East India: A Study through the lens of NER-SDG index
• Performance Assessment of Predictive Forecasting Techniques for Enhancing Hospital Supply Chain Efficiency in Healthcare Logistics
• The Fractured Self in Julian Barnes' Postmodern Fiction: Identity Crisis and Deflation in Metroland and the Sense of an Ending
• Impact of Flood on the Employment, Labour Productivity and Migration of Agricultural Labour in North Bihar