Predicting Undergraduate Student Retention In Stem Majors Based On Career Development Factors

Keywords

academic persistence; career development; career readiness; STEM retention

Abstract

A research gap exists with regard to examining the influence of career interventions and career readiness assessments on student retention in college majors related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). To address this gap, the authors examined 3 variables as potential predictors of retention in STEM-related majors: (a) a STEM-focused career planning intervention, (b) students' initial major declarations, and (c) changes in scores on a measure of career readiness. Results revealed that all 3 independent variables were significant predictors of STEM retention but did not accurately predict students who would not be retained. These results have implications for undergraduate STEM initiatives, college counselors and career advisors, and researchers investigating the predictors of STEM retention. Future research should include additional predictor variables.

Publication Date

3-1-2017

Publication Title

Career Development Quarterly

Volume

65

Issue

1

Number of Pages

88-93

Document Type

Article

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12082

Socpus ID

85014747442 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/85014747442

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS