Expected career barriers in Building Engineering: does gender matter?

Abstract

[EN] Many previous studies have revealed the existence of career barriers in the construction sector that might interfere in a person¿s career choice and hinder his/her career development. These barriers can be perceived differently by women and men, and may determine their occupational aspirations and career choice when entering the labor market. This research analyzes whether the perception of barriers to career development is similar among women and men, for professional career paths unrelated to work onsite. The quantitative analysis of building engineering students¿ perceptions, gathered through a survey, allows us to conclude that the perception of these barriers differs according to gender. Women perceive that it is more feasible and likely to encounter barriers to their career development, and only two perceived barriers are found in common by both sexes: job market constraints and inadequate preparation.