On "Location": The Interplay of Rural Social Space and Postschool Aspirations

• In Event: 18.059 - MTCC Roundtable Session Three
  In Roundtable Session: 18.059-9 - Transitions: Understanding Rural Student Experiences

Abstract

Access to and participation in higher education for students from rural locations remains a persistent concern in many parts of the world. In recognising the need to go beyond simplistic notions of getting rural students to university, we draw on the concept of rural social space to analyse students’ career aspirations and expectations. Our mixed-method approach utilises student surveys and interviews with students, parents and teachers from 10 government schools in rural New South Wales, Australia. We found that career aspirations and intentions are associated with the desire, or possibility, to produce rural social space. Government policy and university outreach must focus not only on pathways to university, but also the kinds of occupational futures students imagine for themselves.

Authors

• Leanne Fray, The University of Newcastle

• Jennifer M. Gore, The University of Newcastle

• Matthew Harper, The University of Newcastle

• Jess Harris, University of Newcastle