WSU Presenter Discusses Workplace Inequality Issues

OGDEN, Utah – Following your passion to pursue a career may lead to unintended negative consequences, and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) may foster unintended inequality, according to author and professor Erin Cech, who will discuss her research at Weber State University, Jan. 24 and 25. The public is invited to attend her two presentations, either in person or virtually.

A University of Michigan associate professor of sociology, Cech authored “The Trouble with Passion: How Searching for Fulfillment at Work Fosters Inequality,” which was published in 2021.

“For many students choosing a career is a challenging and high-stakes task,” said Luke Fernandez, WSU assistant professor in the school of computing. “Cech's investigations on inequalities in workplace cultures, as well as her research on the orthodoxy that students should ‘follow their passion,’ can help students in all majors make better and more informed career choices.”

On Jan. 24 at 11:30 a.m., Cech will discuss her research on the racial and gender biases built into professional STEM environments. She will examine the seemingly innocuous cultural beliefs and practices that lead to inequality in the recruitment and retention of women, LGBTQ persons, and racial/ethnic minority students and employees. The presentation will be held at WSU Davis campus (2750 N. University Park Blvd., Layton) Building D2 Room 110. To attend virtually, visit this link. Password is 1234.

On Jan. 25 at 1:30 p.m., Cech will discuss the ominous side of the career advice to “follow your passion,” and explain how that principle perpetuates class, racial and gender inequalities. The presentation will take place on the Ogden campus in Lindquist Hall Room 101. To attend virtually, visit this link. Password is 1234. 

Cech hopes audiences will leave her presentations with a better understanding of passion-seeking, or choosing a career based on passion, and are better equipped to envision alternatives to it — for organizations, institutions and for listeners.

“Educators, parents and employers need to expand the options young adults and career aspirants see for the role of work in their lives,” Cech said. “Passion-seeking should not be a moralized expectation, and we should be reflexive about the privilege of passion-seeking.”

The presentations are sponsored by College of  Engineering Applied Science & Technology Peterson Speaker Series. 

Cech’s research is funded by multiple grants from the National Science Foundation and has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, Time and Harvard Business Review.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Kennedy Jones, Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • kennedyjones1@weber.edu 

Contact:

Luke Fernandez, School of Computing assistant professor
801-626-8088 • lfernandez@weber.edu