ABSTRACT
This chapter examines which variables are linked to a greater interest in science and to arrive at a profile of those students who, at the end of their compulsory schooling, are interested in pursuing a science-related career. The shortage of scientists, and women in the area of science and technology, has been an ongoing concern to educators and educational researchers. Yet, community labour force data provided by the international labour organization show that scientists and engineers constitute only a small proportion of the workforce in the European union, ranging from as little as 2.1 percent in Austria to as much as 8.2 percent in Finland. Even stronger correlations emerge for Finland than for Austria and Portugal between science career expectations and the students' interest and attitude towards mathematics. This evidence confirms results of previous research which found that higher achievement was linked to a greater desire to pursue a career in science.
