This study was made to determine the guidance needs of former students of vocational agriculture. It was hoped that information gained by this study would be of use to guidance workers in the improvement of guidance services in the high schools, Too, it was hoped that agriculture instructors could use the information in improving the dissemination of occupational information to vocational agriculture students, Further, it was felt that suggestive recommendations based on the findings might be used in the organization and administration of guidance services for in-school-youth. / Master of Science

Statement of the Problem The purpose of this study was to determine the need for establishing new vocational agriculture departments in public accredited county high schools in areas of Virginia which were not offering a vocational agriculture program. Problem Analysis An analysis of the problem listed the objectives of this study as: 1. To determine each public accredited county high school in Virginia in which there was a need for establishing a new vocational agriculture department. 2. To determine the number of teachers required in each of the new vocational agriculture departments needed. 3. To determine the total number of public accredited county high schools in Virginia in which there were needs for establishing vocational agriculture departments. 4. To determine the total number of teachers required in the new vocational agriculture departments needed. / Master of Science

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no abstract provided by author / Master of Science

The Problem.- To determine occupations entered by Agricultural Education graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute from 1948 through 1958, their financial advancement, and relationship of undergraduate success to success, after graduation. Purposes.- To determine fields of employment, beginning salaries, number who have changed jobs, reasons for job changes, educational advancements, relationship of quality credit average and co-curricular activities to occupational choices and advancement, and curriculum changes graduates thought desirable. Method.- Study was based on student records and on objective questionnaire which was mailed to each of the 333 living individuals to secure additional data. Returns were received from 272 (81.7 percent) of the graduates. Findings.- The 236 Bachelor's degree graduates entered 24 different occupations immediately after graduation, but in 1958 they were employed in 50 different occupations. Beginning salaries for all occupations averaged $3,211, while the 1958 salaries averaged $5,235. Salaries averaged $3,076 for 144 beginning teachers of vocational agriculture. In 1958, 82 teachers of vocational agriculture received salaries averaging $4,643. One hundred and ninety (69.9 percent) graduates changed jobs one or more times since graduation. Better opportunity to advance and to obtain a higher salary were the major reasons for not teaching vocational agriculture and for leaving the profession. Less than 15.0 percent of the graduates earned advanced degrees. There was no definite relationship between quality credit averages or participation in co-curricular activities and fields of employment, but an apparent relationship existed between these factors and success and advancement. Six areas of increased course offerings were suggested. / Master of Science

Master of Science