Cunningham, K R (2006) An investigation of vocational choice among community college construction education students in the state of Pennsylvania. PhD thesis, Pennsylvania State University, USA.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to (1) identify and describe experiences that are related to students' decision to choose a career in construction or a related field prior to and/or after college; (2) uncover faculty and administrative perceptions regarding curriculum and educational goals of the program, (3) describe factors that influenced vocational choice among construction education students at community college level; and (4) describe the experience of students in a construction education program. The experiences described by students in this investigation are both compelling and complex. During the early stages of the researcher's correspondence with students, a singular impression began to emerge that ultimately influenced the findings in an important way. Much of what the students described related not to the substantive trade disciplines they had elected to pursue, but to the changing nature of their self-concepts, their learning preferences, and the anticipated rewards associated with the construction industry. With this knowledge, high school guidance counselors and college personnel should take a more active role in the process of students' career choices. A core group of in-school educators, knowledgeable in the construction trades, can train high school students in the vocabulary and opportunities associated with construction. College personnel can educate students more about career opportunities (during the teaching and advising process), provide better mentoring, and enhance student interaction with leaders in the construction field. The results of this investigation broaden the understanding of how individuals choose vocations and prepare for the world of work.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Farmer, E I |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction education; education; learning; personnel; teaching |
| Index terms: | program, construction education, career, mentoring, preference, personnel, vocation, investigation, interaction, construction industry |
| Subjects: | decision-making and reasoning, professional education, behavioral psychology, specialized education, training, software systems, management, professional development, industry analysis, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Human Resources, Research Practice, Information Management, Education |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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