對具數學能力高中生的職涯表現之研究

Abstract

對具數學能力高中生而言，怎麼做可能會對他們的未來職涯有較佳的表現?為了回答此問題，我們設計了一個抽樣調查，詢問他們於此一階段中相關資訊的八個題目(變數)。依據回收問卷的資料，我們進行主成分分析、因子分析、簡單迴歸分析和卡方檢定。\n根據主成分分析，我們找到包含“工作年數的長短”、“家庭工作所得高低”、“代間階級向上流動的能力高低”和“教育年數與社經地位值差異的大小”的四個主成分。根據因子分析，我們找到包含“財務問題度而影響追求更高教育”、“長輩代表對社會影響力的高低”與“選擇理工相關職業的意願度”的三個因子。根據簡單迴歸分析，我們發現除了“財務問題度而影響追求更高教育”這個因子之外，其他主成分與因子皆和他們的職涯成就有顯著的線性相關。此外，我們透過卡方檢定發現數學能力與職業類別有著相依關係。對於數學能力較高者，他們選擇廣義理工相關職業的比例顯著高於教育類和其他類別。\n根據統計分析的結論，我們建議對更佳職涯表現有興趣的學生可以“充實自我以具備較高且具品質的教育”，“ 善用教育及人際關係等各項資源”，“ 培養對數理相關領域的興趣”。

What could make a difference in a mathematically inclined high school student’s career performance? To answer this question, we design a sample survey to ask them about the relevant information in eight questions (variables). With the data from the returned questionnaires, we run principle component analysis, factor analysis, simple regression analysis and chi-square test.\nWith principle component analysis, we find four components, including “years of employment”, “family income”, “intergenerational mobility” and “years of education - the socioeconomic status”. Through factor analysis, we find three factors, including “inability to pursue higher education due to financial circumstances”, “the level of the influence to the society by the elder family member”, and “the willingness to work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) related areas”. From simple regression analysis, we find that each component and factor, other than the factor “inability to pursue higher education due to financial circumstances”, has positive linear correlation with the subject’s career performance. In addition, we discover that there is a dependent relation between the mathematical ability and career fields by the chi-square test. For those with higher mathematical ability, the percentage of subjects with careers in STEM fields is significantly higher than those with careers in education or others.\nBased on the results of statistical analyses, we recommend students who are interested in higher career achievement to seek out higher and quality education, to make best uses of education, interpersonal relation and other available resources, and to cultivate their interests in STEM.