What are the determinants of career preferences? The case of high school students in Chile

Identifying factors influencing career preferences is relevant for faculty, education planners, and authorities when designing educational policies. However, these factors vary according to the socioeconomic context. We estimate a discrete choice model to investigate the determinants of career preferences using a survey of high school students (n = 1,658) in Santiago, Chile. Results show that gender, academic performance, type of school, parents’ occupation, and high school track are significant, but their influences vary among career categories. We concluded that a gender gap exists. Males are more prone to choose STEM areas, whereas females prefer humanities and health careers. The influence of the parents’ occupation is evident in specific fields, with differences between girls and boys. High school vocational track influences career preferences.