Enhancing the Quality of Life for Hispanic Individuals Through Career Preparation

Abstract

With the rapid population increase of Hispanic (Spanish, Latin American, or Spanish Indian heritage) individuals in the United States, ensuring economic prosperity and stability of this group is critical. This should include increasing their dwindling participation in agriculture-related fields. Hispanic youths often overlook an agriculture-related career, which promises economic prosperity and stability. This census study, using an ex post facto research design and a mailed survey, identified factors regarding Hispanic and African American (native U.S. citizens of African descent) college graduates' decisions to choose or decline an agriculture-related career prior to and/or after college.Resumen: Asegurar prosperidad y estabilidad económica de la población Hispana (Española, Latinoamericana o de ascendencia Española-India) es crítico debido al incremento numérico rápido de estos individuos en los Estados Unidos. Esto deberá incluir el incremento de los números declinantes de los participantes en el campo de las disciplinas relacionadas con la agricultura. Jóvenes Hispanos usualmente ignoran carreras relacionadas con la agricultura, las cuales prometen prosperidad económica y estabilidad. Este estudio de censo usó un diseño de investigación ex post facto y un cuestionario por correo, identificando factores que estudiantes graduados Hispanos y Áfrico americanos (ciudadanos nativos de descendencia Africana) usaron en la toma de decisiones para escoger o rechazar carreras relacionadas con la agricultura antes y/o después de ser estudiantes universitarios.

Exploring Forms of Communication for Disseminating Career Guidance Services to Potential University Students

“…The third form of communication used for career guidance services to potential university students in the two universities was the use of career seminars and workshops. This finding agrees with the work of Jones and Larke [95] who opine that career seminar assists young people in their career decision because it increases their career information and exposure. The finding also corroborates the finding of the research conducted by Nikolaou [54] which shows that career seminars, workshops and programmes contribute positive impacts on the learners through the provision of relevant career information which is needed for various occupations that are available to them.…”

Engaging Students in Career Planning and Preparation through Ementoring

“…College enrollment rates of Hispanics are proportionally lower than other racial/ethnic groups (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 2007) as are rates of college completion once enrolled (Fry, 2004; Kewal Ramani et al, 2007). Hispanics overlook careers in food and agriculture, and interest in these professions has declined despite strong career opportunities and significant growth of the Hispanic population (Jones and Larke, 2001, 2005). In fact, Hispanics tend to hold negative views of careers in food and agriculture (Jones and Larke, 2005).…”

“…Hispanics overlook careers in food and agriculture, and interest in these professions has declined despite strong career opportunities and significant growth of the Hispanic population (Jones and Larke, 2001, 2005). In fact, Hispanics tend to hold negative views of careers in food and agriculture (Jones and Larke, 2005). As evidenced by statements at websites and creation of programs, industries and agencies in food and agriculture recognize the significance of an educated work force, workforce diversity, and succession planning.…”

“…Gains in career awareness were evidenced by responses to “I know more about types of positions and careers than when I started” (Table 5, item 5) and was attributed largely to the ementor (“My knowledge of careers increased through interaction with my mentor,” Table 5, item 2). Jones and Larke (2005) emphasized the impact of significant others (teachers, counselors, others) on awareness of careers in food and agriculture in students of color including Hispanics. Students progressed from career awareness into the career exploration phase as evidenced by response to “I am more interested in exploring career options than when I started” (Table 5, item 4).…”

The Predictive Role of Reasons for Choosing the Teaching Profession as a Career on the Educational Beliefs of Teachers

“…Profession has the power to determine individuals' personalities, lifestyles, social status, earnings, and social relationships and is an essential factor to sustain life (Jones & Larke, 2005). The characteristics of a profession have great influence on individuals' living standards, future plans (Yanıkkerem, Altınparmak & Karadeniz, 2004); income levels, the structure of the work they will do, and accordingly their characters and human relations (Kazi & Akhlaq, 2017).…”