TY - JOUR
T1 - Actualizing Talent in Physics
T2 - A Qualitative Study of Gifted Finnish Upper-Secondary-School Physics Students
AU - Makkonen, Taina
AU - Lavonen, Jari
AU - Tirri, Kirsi
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.
PY - 2023/3
Y1 - 2023/3
N2 - This qualitative study used in-depth interviews to investigate how gifted Finnish upper-secondary-school physics students (N = 24) actualize their physics talent in their career choices. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Half of the students had their primary career choice in natural sciences and engineering (NS&E). The study further identified students’ perspectives related to their career decision-making, including the reasons for their career choices, perceived quantity and quality of career information in physics and related domains, and the sources of such information. Moreover, students’ perspectives on the different ways of actualizing physics talent were explored. The analysis revealed gender differences in students’ career choices as well as a strong overall need for more career information in physics-related fields. The findings can be used by policymakers, school counselors, and teachers to identify the factors that contribute to the career decision-making processes of gifted physics-oriented students.
AB - This qualitative study used in-depth interviews to investigate how gifted Finnish upper-secondary-school physics students (N = 24) actualize their physics talent in their career choices. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Half of the students had their primary career choice in natural sciences and engineering (NS&E). The study further identified students’ perspectives related to their career decision-making, including the reasons for their career choices, perceived quantity and quality of career information in physics and related domains, and the sources of such information. Moreover, students’ perspectives on the different ways of actualizing physics talent were explored. The analysis revealed gender differences in students’ career choices as well as a strong overall need for more career information in physics-related fields. The findings can be used by policymakers, school counselors, and teachers to identify the factors that contribute to the career decision-making processes of gifted physics-oriented students.
KW - career choice
KW - gifted students
KW - science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
KW - secondary schools
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85145822542&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/01623532221143819
DO - 10.1177/01623532221143819
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85145822542
SN - 0162-3532
VL - 46
SP - 3
EP - 33
JO - Journal for the Education of the Gifted
JF - Journal for the Education of the Gifted
IS - 1
ER -