Factors Influencing Career Choice Of Urban Agricultural Education Students

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify factors influencing the career choice behaviors of students who graduated from an urban agricultural education program. A secondary purpose was to identify factors that discriminated between individuals who choose careers in agriculture and those who do not. Former students in the study indicated their parents and friends as the individuals most influencing their choice of a career. The events and experiences reported by former students who chose a career in agriculture focused around several themes which included career opportunities, high school educational experiences, and work experiences. Of the former students who did not choose a career in agriculture, events and experiences cited included having other career interests, a lack of interest in agriculture, and a lack of career opportunities. A discriminant analysis procedure was used to identify factors that discriminated between individuals who chose careers in agriculture and those who did not. Findings indicated that a discriminant model consisting of selected factors could not discriminate between former students who chose or did not choose a career in agriculture after they completed a secondary agricultural program.

Factors Influencing Enrollment in an Urban Agricultural Education Program

“…Previous literature regarding students enrolled in urban agricultural education programs has focused primarily on career choice (Esters, 2004a); factors influencing secondary enrollment (Esters & Bowen, 2004b); beliefs of agriculture (Thompson & Russell, 1993); agricultural education program development ; perceptions of agricultural education stakeholders ; attitudes toward agriculture (Talbert, 1996(Talbert, , 1997; perceptions of career opportunities (White, Stewart, & Linhardt, 1990); and successful program components (Soloninka, 2003). Although knowledge of these areas provides valuable insight into the sustainability and effectiveness of urban agricultural education programs, additional research is needed to address issues related to student enrollment.…”

Urban FFA Members’ Sense of the Organizational Culture of the FFA

“…We also recommend research on the topic of urban FFA advisors. Urban FFA advisors and agriculture teachers face unique challenges and opportunities compared to their rural counterparts (Bird, Tummons, Martin, & Henry, 2013;Cano & Moore, 2010;Esters & Bowen, 2005;Soloninka, 2003;Talbert & Edwin, 2008). Previous research has highlighted some of these points (e.g., Warner & Washburn, 2009); however, more research is needed to explore this phenomenon.…”

A research agenda for the vocational psychology of agriculture

“…Research into the career exploration and decision-making of students enrolled at agricultural college suggests that friends have a strong influence on students' decisions (Esters & Bowen, 2005). Furthermore, students at an agricultural college experience levels of career decidedness and exploration behaviours that indicate a need for integrated career development learning in the curriculum (Esters, 2007(Esters, , 2008Esters & McCulloh, 2008).…”