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Sociological Factors Determining Students' Undergraduate Majors

Thesis advisor: Latrica Best / This research project examines the sociological factors that contribute to how Boston College undergraduate students choose their majors. Based on previous research, parental influence has typically been a major factor when students choose their majors. Using rational choice theory, I expand on previous research by examining how parental influence and other sociological factors, such as perceptions of the job market and high school education socialization, impact the selection of college majors. In order to conduct this study, I interviewed twenty three Boston College undergraduate students (freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors). All participants were from four Boston College undergraduate schools: Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences, Carroll School of Management, Lynch School of Education and Human Development, and Connell School of Nursing. Results show that parental influence is the primary factor in the selection of majors by students. However, within parental influence, the influence that parents have is not so much about whether students are enjoying their subject and finding passion, but the influence of the job market has been still a huge factor in the way students feel about their education. As we live in a more volatile economy and live in a competitive world where individuals strive to be the best, this study provides important insight into how college students choose their majors and how external factors outside of the college environment affect students’ decisions regarding careers. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Sociology.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:BOSTON/oai:dlib.bc.edu:bc-ir_109725
Date January 2023
CreatorsKim, Andrew
PublisherBoston College
Source SetsBoston College
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText, thesis
Formatelectronic, application/pdf
RightsCopyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.

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