Interpersonal skills and <scp>STEM</scp> career choice of three types of <scp>FIRST</scp> mentors

Background For Inspiration and Recognition of Science Technology (FIRST) robotics is an international, extra-curricular program that fosters young students' interpersonal skills career choices in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM). FIRST teams are guided by mentors, about half whom also mentees. Purpose To describe characterize mentors their perceptions own STEM choice identify differences mentor types gender. Method The study participants included 261 mentors. A convergent mixed-methods approach was used. Data collected quantitatively via questionnaires qualitatively interviews. analysis the social cognitive theory (SCCT). Results Fourteen categories were identified to Nine based on SCCT five new: influence friends, skill, personal contribution, challenges, mentor-as-educator. Differences found between three mentors: non-FIRST graduate mentee correlations factors indicated mentors' consistent with those impacted men more than women, external motivation influenced women men. Conclusions contributes developing its graduates' affects choice. provides insights into mentees' choices, from which both genders benefit. Making available schools as a widespread enrichment expected foster thereby contributing human resource reservoir high-tech industry workforce.