Major Choice Decision-Making Processes Critical for Students' Career Development and Success

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 7
  In Poster Session: Division E Poster Session: Contemporary Perspectives in Human Development

Abstract

Choosing a college major is an important step in students’ career development. While these choices are critical, limited research has examined contextually influenced processes by which students make these complex decisions. This study focused on investigating specific cognitive and behavioral actions that influenced students’ major choices (across majors and by different major groups), the triggers motiving these actions, the consequences of these actions, and the heuristics underlying these decision making processes. Understanding these processes better positions college professionals to meet students where they are at in terms of their major-related decision making, and target resources to more equitably and optimally help students choose good fit majors, both of which can support students’ career development and success.

Authors

• Becky L. Bobek, ACT, Inc.

• Joyce Zhou-Yile Schnieders, ACT, Inc.