Analysis of STEM Study Program Selection in University Viewed from Family Support: A Study on Senior High School Students in West Sumatra

The Society 5.0 era demands experts in STEM fields, but interest in STEM study programs is declining. In West Sumatra, only 1.5% of new students choose STEM study programs. There is a gap between the vast opportunities available and the low interest of students in STEM. Based on literature analysis, it was found that family is an important factor in career choice. Therefore, it is considered necessary to review this based on family support. This study uses a quantitative approach with a descriptive comparative method on 331 high school students in West Sumatra, then measured using the chi-square test to examine the difference in the proportion of family support for STEM program choices. This study employs Lent's Social Cognitive Career Theory to illustrate the ideal state of alignment between students' talents and interests in their career choices. This study aims to prove the hypothesis that there are differences in program choices among high school students in West Sumatra when viewed from the perspective of father and mother support. From the hypothesis analysis, the following novelties were found: (1) parents do not agree on their children's program choices, (2) father support influences students to choose STEM programs, while mother support does not. This study has implications as a comparison with previous studies and has the potential to assist high school students in making appropriate program choices and enhancing fatherly support through the optimization of information, career, and family services.