This qualitative study examined perceived leadership styles and the chosen career path of female superintendents within a southern state. While teaching is an occupation chosen primarily by women, the role of superintendent is filled predominantly by men. The superintendent of a school district is responsible for meeting the daily operational…

This study examined the concepts of career preparation and the lives post-sport of retired former collegiate swimmers. Swimming is a sport that has next to no opportunities to compete professionally, meaning that all swimmers must undergo career preparation and transition into full-time careers once their eligibility has expired. This study was…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how American vocational students describe personal, behavioral, and environmental factors that contribute to their career decisions in the state of Utah. According to the problem statement, it was not known how American vocational students describe the personal, behavioral, and…

There is an underrepresentation of South Asian American K-12 teachers in the United States compared to those employed in the science and technology fields. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore the stories of K-12 South Asian American teachers to understand what impacted their career path and gain an understanding of the…

This study used the Career Thoughts Inventory (CTI; Sampson et al., 1996b), Career Decision Making Readiness Scale, (Osborn et al., 2022), the Career Locus of Control Scale (CLCS) (Trice et al., 1989), and the Commitment to Career Choice scale (Blustein et al., 1989) to examine the relationships among dysfunctional career thoughts, career…

One way to engage in career exploration and gain expertise in a specific field is through a college education. Some studies have sought to discuss the external factors that play a role in a student's career decision making prior to and after entering college, but none of these studies discuss the role a social movement plays in a college student's…

This study investigated assistant principals' motivations to stay in their current position. It identified characteristics, events, and factors that describe why assistant principals choose to stay in their position rather than return to the classroom, transition to a lead principal position, or leave the profession entirely. This was accomplished…

This narrative inquiry explored the schooling and professional experiences of seven teachers who were labeled with learning disabilities, and how those experiences affected their career decisions, teaching strategies, as well as relationships with their students, families, and friends. Their stories also challenged the associated stigmas and…

In an era of governmentally controlled education systems sustained through performance-based funding metrics, the value of higher education is often considered justified by socioeconomic impact and degree employability. Although modern academia traces its roots to the humanities and liberal arts for its foundation, degrees without direct job…

This qualitative study sought to understand the lived experiences of the participants to identify factors that contributed to their decision of becoming a secondary STEM educator. Participants were identified through criterion sampling, which ensured that the participants were (1) female, (2) Hispanic, and (3) and teach mathematics, science, or…

In this transcendental phenomenological study, the researcher highlights the lived experiences of Black women in rehabilitation counselor education. The purpose of this study was to provide detailed descriptions of the lived experiences impacting the career development of Black women in rehabilitation counseling education, to provide a more…

Most undergraduate students enroll in college with the aim of securing a professional career after graduation; however, not all students achieve this goal. Prior research has explored whether career outcomes differ between students of varying academic and demographic backgrounds, but few studies have examined whether first-generation status is…

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) outreach programs are one of the many tools currently utilized to grow the appreciation of STEM in young minds. The hope behind these outreach efforts is to ensure a future workforce of Scientist and Engineers. A great bolstering of the ranks is needed due to the continuous decline in the…

In order to remain competitive in the global economy, there has been a call to increase recruitment and retention in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers in the United States (National Science Board, 2014, 2016; President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, 2012). In addition to increasing the number of…

This study examined proactive career behavior among college students engaging in career interventions. Specifically, the impact of proactive career behavior on career readiness and career goal attainment was investigated. The study sought to discover what proactive career behaviors are displayed by students who engage in career interventions. The…