FACTORS MOTIVATING YOUNG WOMEN FOR THE PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

This paper aims to identify factors that motive young women for the professional career in the field of technological and physical sciences. The study is made in the frame of the project "Empowerment of young female students for their professional career in studies of technological and physical sciences in Lithuania" financed by Lithuanian State Science and Studies Foundation. The sample consisted of 481 undergraduate students studying physics, IT and mechanics at five Lithuanian universities. Statistical analysis and qualitative content analysis were used in this study. The results allow to state that the professional motivation of the female students would be stimulated by such factors as effectively organized studies, followed by principles of gender mainstreaming, participation in the students' exchange programs, positive changes in the lecturers' attitudes towards young women studying technological and physical sciences, examples of good female practice in the studies/while studying, and optimised system of professional orientation in the secondary schools.