What factors influence students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math?

Joseph Mau, professor in Wichita State’s Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, Educational and School Psychology (CLES), has received a Fulbright Scholarship to study these factors among Taiwanese students at Tung Hai University in Taiwan.

The Fulbright program is the most widely recognized international exchange program in the world sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

Recipients of Fulbright grants are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields. The program operates in more than 160 countries worldwide.

“Being a recipient of a Fulbright award is a distinct honor for Dr. Mau and the College of Education,” says dean Shirley Lefever-Davis. “The Fulbright program is intended to foster understanding and cooperation between the United States and other countries. Reflective of this goal, Dr. Mau’s research will be of great value to the College of Education’s STEM education program and will foster collaboration between faculty at Tung Hai University and WSU.”

Measuring interest in STEM
Mau’s study will investigate how personal/psychological, social/cultural and academic/school factors influence the students' interests in STEM careers. Along with the study, he aims to develop STEM career interest and decision-making assessment instruments for use in career guidance and for research purposes.

“I am excited to conduct research from a country that has been very successful in recruiting students into STEM careers,” Mau says. “The findings may allow me to establish a model that can be applied to students in the United States. The Fulbright Scholar award will not only provide opportunities for cross-national collaboration, but also visibility for WSU.”

While at Tung Hai University, Mau plans to present workshops and seminars on life-career development and decision making, as well as share his research experience with faculty and students. Through his research, he has developed a career guidance system used to facilitate high school and college students’ educational and vocational explorations.

Mau has taught and conducted research in the WSU College of Education since 1991. He has served as associate dean and accreditation officer and guided the assessment system for the teacher education arm of the college.