Project Overview
self-efficacy4MINT strengthens the self-efficacy of young women as they transition from STEM studies into professional life, looking at both individual experiences and organizational conditions. The project explores which factors support successful career paths, the barriers that exist, and how environments can be created where women confidently develop their skills in STEM fields.
Based on these insights, self-efficacy4MINT develops practice-oriented workshops, evidence-based recommendations, and innovative support formats, designed to help both students and companies ease career transitions, promote diversity, and embed a modern, self-efficacy-driven workplace culture for the long term.
“We acknowledge that the binary con<ept of woman and man does not reflect the lived reality of everybody. Therefore, our work is directed towards all individuals who identify as women, as well as non-binary people”.
The 3 Phases
WHAT: In-depth qualitative research.
HOW: Problem-centred interviews (N > 40) with two key groups: women at various career stages and company representatives. Secondary data analysis of existing support programs.
GOAL: Gain evidence-based insight to facilitators and obstacles.
WHAT: Testing and validation in practice.
HOW: Development of workshop concepts and actionable recommendations based on the research findings. Ongoing consultation with the target groups.
GOAL: Create user-centric and practical solutions.
WHAT: Testing and validation in practice.
HOW: Implementation of the developed concepts at partner universities and companies. Evaluation and iterative optimization.
GOAL: Demonstrate effectiveness and finalize the developed products for broad knowledge transfer.
GOALS AND RESULTS
Strengthening Self-Efficacy for a Successful Career Entry
The primary objective of the "self-efficacy4MINT" initiative is to analyze factors that strengthen the self-efficacy of young women during their transition from university to a STEM career, while identifying supportive framework conditions within companies. By optimizing these environments, the project aims to facilitate the career entry of academically qualified women in STEM fields.
Research is conducted across two dimensions: on one hand, it examines women's perspectives regarding empowering factors and the root causes of perceived helplessness; on the other hand, it analyzes corporate measures designed to create a self-efficacy-promoting organizational culture.