Building Aspirations, Aligning Expectations, and Breaking Barriers: The Career Goals of Prospective First-Generation College Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Student Development (Table 2)

Abstract

A crucial step in a secondary student's career decision making path is exposure to college and career fields to elevate future aspirations and expectations. Students from vulnerable populations are at particular risk of “career uncertainty”, which can impact future career success. This study focuses on prospective first-generation college students (PFGCS) enrolled in an out-of-school, university-sponsored youth program designed for PFGCS and students from low-wealth communities in 7th through 12th grade. Using Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) as a framework, interviews and artifacts were collected from PFGCS to explore these students’ aspirations, perceived barriers, and networks of support. Themes of family as a motivating factor, support from adult mentors, and exposure to out-of-school career programming were derived through coding analysis.

Authors

• Nina R. Schoonover, University of Virginia

• Asha Muralidharan, University of Virginia

• Russell Carlock, Albemarle County Public Schools

• Trā Nicholson, University of Virginia

• Ben Allen, University of Virginia