The Impact of Career Workshops on Freshman College Students at-Risk for Dropout: An Action Research Study

Abstract

College students on probation are generally considered at-risk for dropping out, as indicated by a wide range of literature. This article focuses on an action research study that explored the impact of a career workshop series on freshman students in a probation course at a medium-sized university located in the southeastern United States. The study examined whether the workshops enhance these students' motivation to remain in school, as well as their career decision-making abilities and level of career knowledge— two factors that combined are referred to as career focus in this discussion. Results indicated the workshops were effective in increasing the students' career decision-making abilities, career knowledge, and determination to be in school, but didn't impact their desire to perform well as a student.