What factors affect how student's choose their majors?

Harounn, Elizabeth

This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/3765

Description

Title

What factors affect how student's choose their majors?

Author(s)

Harounn, Elizabeth

Issue Date

2008-03-05

Keyword(s)

Majors
Disciplines
Advisors
ANTH285 F07
ISU

Abstract

In this paper, I discuss the results of an ethnographic project about “What factors go into student’s making a decision on what field of study they would like to major in” at Illinois State University. Using interviews with 4 Illinois State University students, 2 Illinois State University advisors, and some participant observation, I show that there are many resources available to students than they realize. When talking with the advisors it seemed as though they could offer more help to a student than they may think. Based on these preliminary findings, I argue that student’s choose their majors based on job availability upon graduation, a little influence from their parents and also their own interests as well. I recommend that the University make the options that are available to students, such as the Career Center, better known. Also by what I found out in a couple of my student interviews, they recommended the compiling the following information: • What coursework is like • What kind of learning environment the classes provide • What will be expected of the student • What skill sets the student will have acquired at the end of their college career • What future job opportunities are typically available to them after graduation • Notify students that they have the option to access this information and how to do so.

Type of Resource

text

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/3765

Owning Collections

Student Learning PRIMARY

This collection examines student learning both in and beyond the classroom.