Young Adults’ College Experiences, Work Experiences, and Career Expectations
Poster Number
092
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Faculty Mentor
Merry Sleigh, Ph.D.
Abstract
This study focused on past work experience, college experience, career expectations, and stress. Participants were 93 college students, with a mean age of 19.88 (SD = 1.61). Participants completed a 66-question survey that measured job experience, college involvement, knowledge of psychology careers, job satisfaction, and stress. Results revealed that the more involved students were in college, the higher their overall stress level, r(93) = 0.21, p = 0.04, the higher their GPA, r(91) = 0.28, p = 0.008, and the older their age, r(93) = 0.33, p = 0.001. The average score for the knowledge test was 5.1 (SD = 1.16) on a 7-point scale. Compared to men, women were more likely to report that they would be self-employed or running their own business. Men were more likely to say they would work for an employer. People who knew what they would be doing in the future had higher GPAs, t(89) = 3.86, p < 0.001. We examined the occupations participants would pursue with and without constraints. In general, the no-constraint occupations were more likely to be unattainable for this age group, such as becoming an astronaut, or unrealistic, such as being a bartender in Las Vegas. These findings suggest that college students do not have clear and consistent expectations for their future, regardless of their work and college experiences.
Course Assignment
PSYC 302 – Sleigh
Previously Presented/Performed?
Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) Annual Meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, March 2018
Start Date
20-4-2018 2:15 PM
End Date
20-4-2018 4:15 PM
Young Adults’ College Experiences, Work Experiences, and Career Expectations
Richardson Ballroom
This study focused on past work experience, college experience, career expectations, and stress. Participants were 93 college students, with a mean age of 19.88 (SD = 1.61). Participants completed a 66-question survey that measured job experience, college involvement, knowledge of psychology careers, job satisfaction, and stress. Results revealed that the more involved students were in college, the higher their overall stress level, r(93) = 0.21, p = 0.04, the higher their GPA, r(91) = 0.28, p = 0.008, and the older their age, r(93) = 0.33, p = 0.001. The average score for the knowledge test was 5.1 (SD = 1.16) on a 7-point scale. Compared to men, women were more likely to report that they would be self-employed or running their own business. Men were more likely to say they would work for an employer. People who knew what they would be doing in the future had higher GPAs, t(89) = 3.86, p < 0.001. We examined the occupations participants would pursue with and without constraints. In general, the no-constraint occupations were more likely to be unattainable for this age group, such as becoming an astronaut, or unrealistic, such as being a bartender in Las Vegas. These findings suggest that college students do not have clear and consistent expectations for their future, regardless of their work and college experiences.
