The role of gender and work experience on expectations of career characteristics and work force diversity

Abstract

One hundred and eighty-seven graduating business students at a large public university in the southwest participated in a gender diversity study by completing a voluntary questionnaire. The study was designed to gain greater insight about the effects of gender and work experience on the expectations of career characteristics and work force diversity. In particular, the study examined salary expectations, career characteristics, job search methods and intensity, internship participation, expected hours required and willing to work, and sensitivity to gender issues. The career characteristics that were examined include social aspects of work, work life balance, cultural fit and pay. The study revealed that graduating business students with more work experience while in college place greater importance on higher compensation than students with less work experience. The study also supports that female graduating business students place significantly greater importance on work life balance and culture fit within the organization than their male peers. Additionally, female graduating business students were significantly more aware and sensitive to gender issues than their male peers.