Understanding the Career Development of Underprepared College Students

The purpose of this study was to examine the career development of underprepared college students using relational career theory. Specifically, the constructs of family influence, locus of control, and career decision-making self-efficacy were explored as they relate to perceived success in college. Significant correlations between external locus of control and family expectations, financial support, and values and beliefs were found indicating that greater family influence is related to external control. Additionally, higher levels of career decision-making self-efficacy were related to internal locus of control and informational support from family. These findings support previous research as well as theorized relational career theory connections.

Effects of Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy and Degree Utility on Student Persistence: A Path Analytic Study

A path model was constructed mapping the effect of career decision-making self-efficacy (CDMSE) and degree utility on persistence of underprepared college students. The path model accounted for 21 percent of the variance in intent to persist and 27 percent of the variance in student persistence. The final structural model adds to the literature on student persistence in several ways. First, it suggests the importance of Degree Utility for this population: Students who believed college would provide employment opportunities and better careers were more likely to persist. Second, it confirms that CDMSE has a direct effect on social and academic integration and an indirect effect on persistence. Implications for research include developing and testing interventions to enhance CDMSE. Implications for practice include providing career counseling and advising that identifies the connection between employment opportunities and academic course, program, or degree completion and engaging in practices that increase CDMSE.