Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
The assumption was interventions by computer science professionals in the college and
university computer education setting would have positive impact on computer science in-
terest for college and university students that would last over a life span. The years spent
in colleges and universities are a transitional time for students because most come directly
from high school and are experiencing new freedom to create their own study lifestyles as
independent individuals. Von Ah et al. alluded to prior research indicating individuals in
the age group do engage in risky choices. It may be a timely opportunity to identify factors
that encourage other lifestyles that could have long-term effects on personal career devel-
opment practices.
The study indicated self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of career choice promoting
practices and low self-efficacy was a factor in maladaptive career development. Stress and
social support were not as significant as previously assumed. The findings obtained by Von
Ah et al. indicated that computer science student career development practitioners invest
time and energy toward improvement in their studies for increasing self-efficacy in com-
puter science activities and community settings.
The introduction included a clear communication of the goals of the study. Bandura's
theoretical frameworks and the health belief model were appropriate matches for the in-
vestigation and the research question is suitable for contemporary student career center
practice. The instruments used were of high reliability and validity, although the use of self-
reporting questionnaires may limit the quality of the results. Findings may lack generaliz-
ability because of the small sample size of 161 and because the students were exclusively
psychology students at a four-year institution, but the study is applicable for replication in
other college and university settings.
The study conclusions contributed a great deal to resolving computer science career pro-
motion dilemmas for college career services. The use of a sample of community college
and university students in an older age group may help to supplement the findings. Von Ah
et al. recommended future study using risk assessment and the identification of addition-
al barriers to positive science and technology development programs. Such studies would
help to increase the knowledge base for professionals in computer science education and
promotion programming on college and university campuses. The results of the study were
a benefit to the Depth essay in that they provided support for the theme of using the self-ef-
ficacy model in investigations of computer science career development with regard to so-
cial change.
Search WWH ::
Custom Search