Reducing Negative Career Thoughts in STEM-Interested Undergraduates

• In Event: 14.046 - Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: 14.046-7 - Factors Influencing High School and Postsecondary Vocational and Career Choices

Abstract

Career planning classes have been shown to increase matriculation in undergraduate major programs; however, STEM recruitment and retention programs have not kept up by utilizing career planning classes within their STEM initiatives. The purpose of the current study is to test the effect of one such career planning course that is part of a grant-funded STEM initiative targeting first semester undergraduates. Participants include undergraduates taking a STEM-focused Career Planning class and students taking a non-career-focused STEM Seminar class. Using a covariance balance procedure and a factorial analysis of covariance, the researchers found a significant, yet small, effect on students’ negative career thoughts for the Career Planning class. Implications for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Christopher Belser, University of New Orleans

• Diandra J Prescod, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

• Andrew Patrick Daire, Virginia Commonwealth University