College Major Choice for Students of Color: Toward a Model of Recruitment for the Agricultural Education Profession

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons students, identifying as non– White, made the decision to pursue a career in agricultural education. This phenomenological study allowed the researchers to obtain the overall phenomenon of the thought processes that encompass decisions of students of color when selecting an academic major in college. Participants described having external and internal value orientations toward college major choice. When a value orientation increased toward a major prior to college, participants tended to be more apt to pursue a specific degree program. It was concluded that in addition to particular value orientations, distinct barriers to the decision–making process also inhibit the choice of agricultural education.