Table 5.

Participants’ views on the effects of STEM education on underemployment.

Theme	Category	Code	Quotes
Underemployment	Decreases	Creating new job opportunities (n = 17)	“If you have a skilled workforce or if you have 21st-century skills, you know how to survive the pandemic, and you can easily find a job. So, STEM education also reduces underemployment.” P3
		Encouraging people to work (n = 11)	“STEM education can prevent underemployment because you can innovate new things and create added value in your sector, field, and discipline. So, it will encourage you to work harder.” P14
		Promoting entrepreneurship (n = 7)	“STEM education encourages people to work and bring their products to the market. This helps them develop entrepreneurial skills.” P19
		Having a second job (n = 7)	“STEM education reduces underemployment and enables people to have suitable extra jobs.” P20
	Increases	Looking for a new job (n = 8)	“People with STEM education are open to interdisciplinary job opportunities because they constantly make connections between different fields. So, they always consider finding new jobs.” P12
		Job dissatisfaction (n = 2)	“STEM education helps people develop new skills and be satisfied with their work. This motivates them to work harder.” P24

*More than one answer.