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Issues in Educational Research, 2020, Vol 30(4), 1558-1575.
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Teacher, parental and friend influences on STEM interest and career choice intention

Tiny Chiu Yuen Tey, Priscilla Moses and Phaik Kin Cheah
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia

STEM subjects were officially introduced into upper secondary schools in Malaysia in 2020. Form Four students were given the opportunity to choose the STEM subjects before their enrolment in the STEM stream. According to the Malaysian Ministry of Education, this initiative prioritises students' interests to promote STEM involvement among the younger generation and to reinstate STEM components in the curriculum. This study aimed to investigate the influence of teachers, parents and friends on STEM interest and career choice intention among secondary school students in Malaysia. A total of 230 Form Four students from the central region of Peninsular Malaysia participated in a self-report survey. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling. The results showed that parents had a significant influence on both students' STEM interest and career choice intention, whereas teachers did not. Friends were only influential on students' STEM career choice intention, but not on their STEM interest. This study also revealed that students' STEM interest was a significant predictor that influenced their career choice intention in STEM. The findings could be used as the latest reference for authorities, researchers and policy makers to support the STEM initiatives, education system and STEM workforce in Malaysia.
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Authors: Tiny Chiu Yuen Tey holds an MPhil in Social Science and is currently pursuing PhD in Social Science at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia under the supervision of the co-authors. Her research interests include STEM education, educational technology, technology acceptance, pedagogy, and student learning.
Email: ttcyuen456@gmail.com

Priscilla Moses is an Assistant Professor and Head of Programme for PhD Programmes in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia. She holds a PhD in educational technology from Universiti Putra Malaysia. Her research interests include educational technology, technology acceptance, e-learning, blended learning, and STEM Education.
Email: priscilla@utar.edu.my

Phaik Kin Cheah is an Associate Professor in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia. She holds a PhD in information communications technology from Universiti Sains Malaysia. Her research interests include teacher training, volunteer policing, and qualitative methods.
Email: cheahpk@utar.edu.my

Please cite as: Tey, T. C. Y., Moses, P. & Cheah, P. K. (2020). Teacher, parental and friend influences on STEM interest and career choice intention. Issues in Educational Research, 30(4), 1558-1575. http://www.iier.org.au/iier30/tey.pdf


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