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What Is a Biology Degree without a Career Goal or a Strategy to Reach That Goal? An Analysis of Career Goals of Graduating Biology Majors

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Title: What Is a Biology Degree without a Career Goal or a Strategy to Reach That Goal? An Analysis of Career Goals of Graduating Biology Majors
Language: English
Authors: Melissa McCartney (ORCID 0000-0001-5857-5382), Roxana Gonzalez, Jessica Colon, Laura Moralejo, Tessy Ritchie, Hannah Bruce Opris, Robin Castellano, Dania Hernandez, Paola Freyre
Source: Journal of College Science Teaching. 2025 54(1):29-37.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 9
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Biology, Career Choice, Science Education, Majors (Students), STEM Careers, Career Development, Student Attitudes, Undergraduate Students, Goal Orientation, Occupational Aspiration, State Universities
Geographic Terms: Florida (Miami)
DOI: 10.1080/0047231X.2024.2398389
ISSN: 0047-231X
1943-4898
Abstract: Improving the rate at which individuals enter STEM careers remains a national concern, and there is a critical need for additional research examining the impact of career development programs for undergraduate STEM majors. Most career development studies are grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), which states that students progressing toward careers need to identify a career goal and implement strategies to reach this goal. We surveyed Biology majors in their final semester to learn more about the participant's career goal(s) and the strategies they implement to reach these goals. We found that most students have only one career goal and that this goal is most likely centered in the health sciences. Additionally, we show that students are lacking in specific strategies to reach these goals and that strategies students do provide do not always integrate with their career goals. These data suggest that graduating Biology majors are not aligned with the central tenants of SCCT.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1454439
Database: ERIC
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  Data: What Is a Biology Degree without a Career Goal or a Strategy to Reach That Goal? An Analysis of Career Goals of Graduating Biology Majors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Melissa+McCartney%22">Melissa McCartney</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5857-5382">0000-0001-5857-5382</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Roxana+Gonzalez%22">Roxana Gonzalez</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jessica+Colon%22">Jessica Colon</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Laura+Moralejo%22">Laura Moralejo</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tessy+Ritchie%22">Tessy Ritchie</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hannah+Bruce+Opris%22">Hannah Bruce Opris</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Robin+Castellano%22">Robin Castellano</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Dania+Hernandez%22">Dania Hernandez</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Paola+Freyre%22">Paola Freyre</searchLink>
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: Improving the rate at which individuals enter STEM careers remains a national concern, and there is a critical need for additional research examining the impact of career development programs for undergraduate STEM majors. Most career development studies are grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), which states that students progressing toward careers need to identify a career goal and implement strategies to reach this goal. We surveyed Biology majors in their final semester to learn more about the participant's career goal(s) and the strategies they implement to reach these goals. We found that most students have only one career goal and that this goal is most likely centered in the health sciences. Additionally, we show that students are lacking in specific strategies to reach these goals and that strategies students do provide do not always integrate with their career goals. These data suggest that graduating Biology majors are not aligned with the central tenants of SCCT.
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        Value: 10.1080/0047231X.2024.2398389
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 9
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      – SubjectFull: Biology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Choice
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      – SubjectFull: Science Education
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      – SubjectFull: Majors (Students)
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      – SubjectFull: Florida (Miami)
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