Future Doctor or Future Mom?: How Undergraduate Women Choose to Pursue Medicine
Faculty Sponsor
Vikas Gumbhir
gumbhir@gonzaga.edu
Research Project Abstract
Extensive research has highlighted the pervasive gender gaps in STEM fields, but debate remains regarding when and where specific barriers occur. Our research seeks to highlight potential barriers that occur during women’s undergraduate education at Gonzaga University, which influence their decision to pursue the pre-med track. We are in the process of conducting 10-15 semi-structured, indepth interviews with third and fourth year women who are on the pre-med track and who have dropped the pre-med track. Ongoing research findings indicate that even women who have committed to the pre-med track do so with their future family life in mind.
Session Number
RS11
Location
Weyerhaeuser 204
Abstract Number
RS11-e
Future Doctor or Future Mom?: How Undergraduate Women Choose to Pursue Medicine
Weyerhaeuser 204
Extensive research has highlighted the pervasive gender gaps in STEM fields, but debate remains regarding when and where specific barriers occur. Our research seeks to highlight potential barriers that occur during women’s undergraduate education at Gonzaga University, which influence their decision to pursue the pre-med track. We are in the process of conducting 10-15 semi-structured, indepth interviews with third and fourth year women who are on the pre-med track and who have dropped the pre-med track. Ongoing research findings indicate that even women who have committed to the pre-med track do so with their future family life in mind.
