Voices of Female Students Studying at Vocational Technical Sciences School of Higher Education about STEM Careers

This study aims to uncover female students’ feelings about being students at Technical Sciences Vocational School (VTSSHE) and what they think about pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Turkey after graduation. In this study, where data have been collected through semi-structured interviews conducted individually and face-to-face with six female students studying at one of the leading universities in Istanbul, the phenomenological qualitative research method is used; the inductive thematic analysis approach is used to analyse the interview data. The study's findings show that almost all participants have a role model that inspires them when choosing the program. All participants want to complete the four-year program and continue their careers in the STEM field as engineers. However, they are worried about finding a job in the sector because they think men are more likely to be employed in these fields. The participants state that their families initially have prejudice and concerns about sending them to vocational schools because they are female students. However, these prejudices and concerns have decreased over time, and the idea has become more accepted. The participants also have stated that they are happy to have a female faculty member at their school and that this situation is an inspiring role model for them. As a result, encouraging female scientists to pursue careers in STEM fields and ensuring that society encounters female scientists more in their daily lives are important in encouraging female students to choose a career in STEM in the future and ensuring the support of their families.