CAREER CHOICE FACTORS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
By Michael Borchert
A Research Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master of Science Degree With a Major in Career and Technical Education Approved: 2 Semester Credits
____________________________________________________ Investigation Advisor The Graduate College University of Wisconsin-Stout December, 2002
Career Choice Factors 2 The Graduate School University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, WI 54751
Abstract Borchert (Last Name) Michael (First) Career Choice Factors (Title) Vocational Education (Graduate Major) Dr. Michael Galloy (Research Advisor) December/2002 (Month/Year) 82 (No. of Pages) T. (Initial)
(Writer)
American Psychological Association (APA) (Name of Style Manual Used in this Study) Many factors affect career choices of high school students. Identifying these factors would give parents, educators, and industry an idea as to where students place most of their trust in the career selection process. It would also allow students to examine processes they use for career selection. The literature review has provided recommended models in career choices. The review of the literature showed that three areas of a student’s life affect the career choices they make: environment, opportunity, and personality. All three played varying roles in career outcomes. This study attempted to identify to what extent these factors played a role in career choice and which were most important. Data was collected from seniors at Germantown High School, using a survey form. Specific objectives of the study were the following: 1) How influential were factors of personality in making career choices? 2) How influential were factors of the environment in making career choices? 3) How influential were the factors of opportunities in career choice?
Career Choice Factors 3 4) Which areas of personality, environment, or opportunity were most important to the students? The