Diversity in Software Engineering Education: Exploring Motivations, Influences, and Role Models Among Undergraduate Students

TL;DR

This study addresses the diversity gap in software engineering by examining what motivates underrepresented undergraduate students to pursue and stay in SE, and how role models and mentorship affect their career trajectories. It uses a cross-sectional global survey of 89 participants from 20 countries, with a four-part questionnaire assessing motivations, influences, role models, and demographics. Eight motivations are identified, with career advancement, technological enthusiasm, and personal growth as the top drivers, and findings reveal complex, intersectional variations across gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Role models and mentorship emerge as critical for sustaining engagement, particularly for underrepresented groups, with tech influencers serving as prominent long-term exemplars; yet a majority report no specific role model, underscoring the need for deliberate inclusion strategies in SE education.

Abstract

Software engineering (SE) faces significant diversity challenges in both academia and industry, with underrepresented students encountering hostile environments, limited representation, and systemic biases that hinder their academic and professional success. Despite significant research on the exclusion experienced by students from underrepresented groups in SE education, there is limited understanding of the specific motivations, influences, and role models that drive underrepresented students to pursue and persist in the field. This study explores the motivations and influences shaping the career aspirations of students from underrepresented groups in SE, and it investigates how role models and mentorship impact their decisions to stay in the field. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with undergraduate SE students and related fields, focusing on their motivations, influences, and the impact of mentorship and role models on their career paths. We identified eight motivations for pursuing SE, with career advancement, technological enthusiasm, and personal growth being the most common. Family members, tech influencers, teachers, and friends were key influences, though 64\% of students reported no specific individual influence. Role models, particularly tech influencers and family members play a critical role in sustaining interest in the field, especially for underrepresented groups. This study provides insights into the varied motivations and influences that guide underrepresented students' decisions to pursue SE. It emphasizes the importance of role models and highlights the need for intersectional approaches to better support diversity in the field.