Giorgio Brunello (University of Padua)
Francesco Campo, Elisabetta Lodigiani, Martina Miotto and Lorenzo Rocco
This study investigates the factors influencing Italian studentsÂ’ intended choice of college major, focusing on the roles of expected wages, self-perceived ability, and personal preferences. We highlight that expected wages, ability, and preferences all influence college major selection, but preferences and self-perceived ability often outweigh financial considerations. Thus, interventions aimed solely at correcting wage expectations of young adults in the process of making a crucial decision for their future may have limited effects. Moreover, we show that any policy aiming at providing better career guidance should take into account that certain students may underestimate their academic abilities, a pattern we observe for our female students.