What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? (Poster 45)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Saturday 5:10 p.m.
  In Poster Session: Designing Learning Environments for Science Technology Engineering and Math Learning

Abstract

This explanatory sequential mixed methods study examines what influences 7th and 8th-grade rural middle school students to consider a potential career trajectory. With a two-phase study, the research examined how middle school students took their interests, hobbies, and characteristics into consideration with a future career trajectory. Out of the 23 participants, 18 had evidence that supported influential factors from the Microsystem and five from the Exosystem. Lastly, 13 showed evidence of influence from their past experiences, six from their present experiences, and four discussed their future experiences that could shape their future career trajectories. The findings from this research study support the current literature on potential career trajectories within students.

Author

• Heather Wilks, Coastal Carolina University