Presenter: Adalie Elyse Rodriguez

Faculty Sponsor: Raúl D. Gutiérrez

School: Holyoke Community College

Research Area: Psychology and behavioral sciences

Session: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM, Auditorium, A72

ABSTRACT

“What would you like to be when you grow up?”, a question that prompts you to start thinking about your future. The question has been ingrained in us since childhood as a way of shaping our future career paths. Our educational journey is structured so that by the time we turn eighteen, we are expected to decide what we will study in college. In the hopes it will create a sense of ambition, a purpose you can look forward to. Selecting a college major can be a significant decision for any student. However, for first-generation college students this decision carries more weight than one may be led to believe. The choice of major for first-generation college students can stem form a multitude of factors. In fact, some of the most common factors are not directly related to education itself. According to research findings, two of the most common non-academic factors are likely to be finances and limited guidance. Financial pressures often hold influence over major choice as students feel it necessary to choose a major perceived as "practical". In the absence of guidance from family members who may have not had experience in higher-education, first-generation college students may not have access to the same resources as their peers when seeking information about career expectations and degree pathways. These obstacles can create a divide between the academic choices first-generation college students make versus the non-academic factors that can influence their decision.