Gender differences in career values and vocational interests of high school students in the Republic of Srpska

Abstract

Numerous studies have documented gender differences in work values and occupational interests which align with employment statistics. Recent years have witnessed renewed research interest in this topic, driven by public reassessment of gender relations and dramatic labor market changes in the digital and AI era. Our study aimed to examine gender differences in work values and interests among Generation Z adolescents in the Republic of Srpska. Valid responses were collected through online surveys from 339 high school students (65.6% female). Participants assessed their vocational interests using the Vocational Interests Single-Item SETPOINT Scale (SISS), while career values were measured using a modified and extended version of the Multidimensional Career Values Questionnaire. Male students showed significantly higher interest in physical-mechanical occupations, jobs performed in natural environments, and technology fields. Female students expressed significantly greater interest in socially-oriented occupations, jobs involving creative expression, and organizational-economic work. Additionally, statistically significant differences were found in eight out of twelve career values, with female students scoring higher on average across all of these dimensions. We discuss these differences in relation to previous research and consider implications for educational policies and future research.