ERIC Number: ED570985
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 20
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
National Freshman Attitudes Report, 2014: Special Focus on Career Decision-Making toward the Goal of College Completion. Ninth Annual National Research Study
Noel-Levitz, Inc.
This annual report goes beyond the usual metrics of standardized test scores and high school transcripts to explore a wide range of non-cognitive attitudes that influence student retention and college completion rates for today's entering college freshmen. Findings are reported separately for four-year and two-year institutions, private and public, as well as for student subsets such as male vs. females. The report is based on student survey responses drawn from a sizable national sample of entering undergraduates in 2013. The special focus of this 2014 report is on career decision-making. Just how many (and which) of today's entering freshmen are uncertain of their career direction? And how many of these students want help with choosing a career direction? Highlights include: (1) 47 percent of incoming freshmen want career counseling. When examined more closely by student type, this desire was expressed by 48 percent of male students; 41 percent of students age 25 and older; and 55 percent of Hispanic/Latino students; (2) 21 percent of entering freshmen reported being "very confused" about which career occupation to pursue. When examined more closely by student type, this view was held by 22 percent of traditional-age students and by 20 percent of White/Caucasian students; (3) 93 percent of incoming female freshmen, vs. 88 percent of incoming male freshmen, reported being "deeply committed" to their educational goals; (4) Nearly 40 percent of incoming first-generation freshmen reported having "financial problems that are very distracting and troublesome"; and (5) Compared to White/Caucasian freshmen, incoming students of color brought greater receptivity to institutional services and higher degree aspirations beyond a bachelor's. Appended are: (1) Reflections and actions to consider; and (2) Additional findings and data from 2013 incoming college freshmen. [For prior year report: "National Freshman Attitudes Report, 2013: Exploring College Readiness among Entering Freshmen. Eighth Annual National Research Study," see ED570983.]
Descriptors: Annual Reports, Student Surveys, Student Motivation, Self Management, Study Habits, Student Needs, Mathematics Skills, First Generation College Students, Help Seeking, Gender Differences, Age Differences, Career Development, Nontraditional Students, Money Management, Student Characteristics, Two Year College Students, Community Colleges, College Transfer Students, College Freshmen, Self Esteem, Career Counseling, Public Colleges, Private Colleges, Academic Aspiration, Readiness
Noel-Levitz, Inc. 2350 Oakdale Boulevard, Coralville, IA 52241. Tel: 800-876-1117; Tel: 319-626-8380; Fax: 319-626-8388; e-mail: contactus@noellevitz.com; Web site: http://www.noellevitz.com
Publication Type: Numerical/Quantitative Data; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Noel-Levitz, Inc.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A