A Qualitative Inquiry Into Decisions to Leave Engineering Among Korean Women With Engineering Degrees

The longstanding underrepresentation of women in engineering fields is a global issue. The present study explores the experiences of 15 Korean women who earned engineering degrees and then changed their careers to non-engineering fields. Participants completed semi-structured interviews, and qualitative data from these interviews were analyzed using consensual qualitative research methods. Five domains emerged from the data: psychosocial struggles, anticipated difficulties in engineering, systemic gender marginalization, perceived lack of support, and deciding to leave. These findings reveal the underlying dynamics of environmental, socio-cognitive, and affective factors that not only influence non-persistence but also shape women’s experiences of leaving engineering and navigating alternative career paths. Participants’ decisions to leave were influenced by structural and cultural barriers, such as gender discrimination, anticipated challenges as women, and limited opportunities for advancement. The results highlight the need for gender-inclusive culture, supportive environments, and meaningful representation to improve retention and equity for women in engineering. This study offers important implications for practice and research in supporting women in engineering and advancing gender diversity within the field.