Students' Interest as a Predictor of Career Decidedness

• In Event: Postgraduation College Outcomes

Abstract

Using surveys of undergraduates studying sciences in a UK university (N=428: 60% F, average age=19.9) and follow-up interviews (N=15: 11F), we investigated the relation between students’ interest and their certainty about their career choice (i.e. career decidedness). We found that although participants had a well-developed interest in science that motivated their choice of major, fewer than half of the students were decided in their careers. Regression analysis indicated that interest in their subject was a significant predictor of career decidedness, mediated by the student’s desire to pursue their interest in their career. Open-ended survey responses and interviews revealed that decidedness was informed by coursework, proactive career exploration, work experience, and interest. Implications for teaching and career services are discussed.

Authors

• Kathleen M. Quinlan, University of Kent

• K. Ann Renninger, Swarthmore College