Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling and Social Cognitive Career Theory to Identify Factors in Choice of It as a Major

Autor/inn/en	Luse, Andy; Rursch, Julie A.; Jacobson, Doug
Titel	Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling and Social Cognitive Career Theory to Identify Factors in Choice of It as a Major
Quelle	In: ACM Transactions on Computing Education, 14 (2014) 3, Artikel 19 (19 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1946-6226
DOI	10.1145/2623198
Schlagwörter	Social Theories; Social Cognition; Career Choice; Majors (Students); Information Technology; Structural Equation Models; STEM Education; Student Recruitment; Occupational Aspiration; High School Students; Self Efficacy; Expectation; Predictor Variables; Computer Science; Outreach Programs; College School Cooperation; Questionnaires; Student Attitudes; Factor Analysis; Iowa + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Gesellschaftstheorie; Soziale Kognition; Informationstechnologie; STEM; Berufsneigung; Berufsziel; High school; High schools; Student; Students; Oberschule; Schüler; Schülerin; Studentin; Self-efficacy; Selbstwirksamkeit; Expectancy; Erwartung; Prädiktor; Informatik; Jobcoaching; Fragebogen; Schülerverhalten; Faktorenanalyse
Abstract	In the United States, the number of students entering into and completing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas has declined significantly over the past decade. Although modest increases have been shown in enrollments in computer-related majors in the past 4 years, the prediction is that even in 3 to 4 years when these students graduate, there will be shortages of computer-related professionals for industry. The challenge on which this article focuses is attracting students to select an information technology (IT) field such as computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or information systems as a major when many high schools do not offer a single computer course, and high school counselors, families, and friends do not provide students with accurate information about the field. The social cognitive career theory (SCCT) has been used extensively within counseling and career psychology as a method for understanding how individuals develop vocational interests, make occupational choices, and achieve success within their chosen field. In this article, the SCCT model identifies factors that specifically influence high school students to select a major in an IT-related discipline. These factors can then be used to develop new or enhance existing IT-related activities for high school students. Our work demonstrates that both interest and outcome expectations have a significant positive impact on choice to major. Interest also is found to mediate the effects of self-efficacy and outcome expectations on choice of major. Overall, the model predicts a good portion of variance in the ultimate outcome of whether or not an individual chooses to major in IT. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01