Gender Differences in the College and Career Aspirations of High School Valedictorians
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Level 4 by design analogy (cross-sectional analysis of published profiles).
OpenAlex W2125280956 · doi:10.4219/jaa-2008-830
What was done
The authors analyzed 92 valedictorian profiles published in a regional newspaper for the 2003, 2004, and 2005 graduating classes in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. They examined gender differences in intended college majors, the selectivity of chosen colleges, and projected future labor market earnings associated with intended careers.
What was found
No specific numerical values or statistical test results were reported in the abstract. Qualitatively, female valedictorians were equally likely as males to plan a major in the sciences, more likely to choose humanities and social sciences, and less likely to pursue mathematics, computer science, or engineering. On average, female valedictorians planned to attend less selective colleges and aspired to careers associated with lower earnings compared to their male peers.
Why it matters
The study shows that gender disparities in career earning potential and STEM subfield representation emerge early among academically top-performing students, influenced by differences in intended majors and college selectivity.
Limits
The study is limited by a small sample size (n = 92) drawn exclusively from a single geographic region via self-reported newspaper blurbs. It measures stated aspirations rather than realized college enrollments, major completions, or actual career earnings, and the abstract omits exact effect sizes and p-values.
Cited by
- context 7 out of 10 high school valedictorians are girls, and college enrollment is approximately 60% female to 40% male.