Wondering About Future Unknowns: An Exploration of Major-Related Influences Impacting College Student Career Attitudes
Abstract
The research presented in this disquisition examines how college experiences shape career attitudes. The dissertation explores major-related support systems, the influence of parental education level, and the validation of career attitudes measurement. The first article highlights the positive impact of major-related support systems on career attitudes, particularly for first-generation students. The second article validates items for the ACREO career attitudes scale, stressing the need for thorough measurement. The third article examines wonder pedagogy's transformative role, emphasizing themes of community and exploration. The findings suggest a potential shift to Kegan's self-authorship stage in doctoral participants, emphasizing vulnerability, exposure to diverse identities, and a desire for societal impact in career development. The findings emphasize the crucial role of academic and co-curricular activities, such as building community, exploration, and networking, in shaping career attitudes. It underscores the importance of addressing support systems and major choices as well as integrating various forms of capital in program development. The analysis discusses avenues of future research as well as inform evidence-based decisions for programmatic and institutional development in shaping meaningful career pathways for students.