Although the career choice decision for women is
recognized as a complex process, there is little
understanding about how the influencing factors affect
the choices of disadvantaged women returning to community
colleges. This study was concerned with understanding
how certain factors influenced the career choices of this
population.
A random sample of 15 subjects was identified for
this study from a population of 53 female students
attending Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon.
The data were gathered through examining the subjects'
college student records, interviews and survey
questionnaires.
The literature suggested that six major factors may
influence career choices of women. These are: the
environment, the family, individual abilities, self-concept
variables, vocational interests and values, and
the influence of education. Factors identified in this
study which may influence the career choices of
disadvantaged women returning to community colleges and
provided support for the literature included: high
academic ability, a more tolerant and feminist attitude,
a sense of independence, interest in planning for a
career, and a supportive faculty. In addition, economic
security was the most often discussed motivating factor;
it had not been previously identified as an influencing
factor.
Contrary to the literature, the following factors
had minor influence on career choices: success in
mathematics courses, supportive parents and family, and
educational role models. In addition, the absence of a
familial value for education was identified. Although it
did not appear to impact the subjects' career choices, it
appeared to have previously created a barrier to
education. / Graduation date: 1992
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/36063 |
| Date | 27 April 1992 |
| Creators | Hagan, Jacky May |
| Contributors | Suzuki, Warren N. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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