Constructing Coherence in the Community College Career Decision-Making Space

• In Event: Investigating the Role of Research, Career Development, and Other High-Impact Practices in Higher Education

Abstract

This paper examines the educational and career decision-making processes of community college students. For the participants in this study, making a decision about their major and career path required navigating a dynamic and shifting labor market, a complex ecosystem of postsecondary credentials, and various contextual and structural barriers. The findings of this study suggest that community college students need: (a) access to labor market information; (b) differentiated career guidance and career exploration opportunities; (c) career guidance that is contextualized in disciplinary learning; and (d) emotional and psychological support to navigate feelings of stress and uncertainty.

Author

• Rebecca Colina Neri, Indiana University Bloomington