Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling and Social Cognitive Career Theory to Identify Factors in Choice of IT as a Major

Author:

Luse Andy1,Rursch Julie A.2,Jacobson Doug2

Affiliation:

1. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

2. Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Abstract

In the United States, the number of students entering into and completing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) areas has declined significantly over the past decade. Although modest increases have been shown in enrollments in computer-related majors in the past 4 years, the prediction is that even in 3 to 4 years when these students graduate, there will be shortages of computer-related professionals for industry. The challenge on which this article focuses is attracting students to select an information technology (IT) field such as computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or information systems as a major when many high schools do not offer a single computer course, and high school counselors, families, and friends do not provide students with accurate information about the field. The social cognitive career theory (SCCT) has been used extensively within counseling and career psychology as a method for understanding how individuals develop vocational interests, make occupational choices, and achieve success within their chosen field. In this article, the SCCT model identifies factors that specifically influence high school students to select a major in an IT-related discipline. These factors can then be used to develop new or enhance existing IT-related activities for high school students. Our work demonstrates that both interest and outcome expectations have a significant positive impact on choice to major. Interest also is found to mediate the effects of self-efficacy and outcome expectations on choice of major. Overall, the model predicts a good portion of variance in the ultimate outcome of whether or not an individual chooses to major in IT.

Publisher

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Subject

Education,General Computer Science

Reference107 articles.

1. Knowledge and skill requirements for entry-level information technology workers: A comparison of industry and academia;Aasheim C.;Journal of Information Systems Education,2009

2. Research Report: The Evolving Relationship Between General and Specific Computer Self-Efficacy—An Empirical Assessment

3. Combating the decline in information systems majors: The role of instrumental assistance;Akbulut A.;Journal of Computer Information Systems,2008

4. The impact of the skills gap on the recruitment of MIS graduates

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