CAREER SELF-EFFICACY ON ENROLMENT AND COMPLETION RATES OF STUDENTS IN STEM ORIENTED COURSES IN SELECTED PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA

Aspirations of students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) have been found to be positively correlated with their positive impressions of scientists and engineers. In this study, the influence of gender on self-efficacy in STEM field particularly in computer science, health related courses, engineering, agriculture and sciences was examined. The study adopted a mixed methods approach. The population of the study was students pursuing STEM courses in three selected public universities (University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT), and Egerton University). The study included three sampling techniques, namely; purposive, stratified and simple random sampling. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected and analysed. The results were integrated into one report. According to the findings, students' interest in a career in all STEM fields was positively and significantly correlated with their STEM self-efficacy. Females were more associated with science, but males demonstrated a high degree of dominance in the engineering field and computer science. According to the study, participating in STEM activities both inside and outside the classroom increases students' sense of self-efficacy and interest in STEM-related disciplines. In order to make STEM occupations relatable to students, counsellors' role should be highlighted.