ERIC Number: EJ1242160
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 30
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1066-8926
EISSN: N/A
An Investigation of Paramedical Vocational Interest and Choice for Latinos and African American Men in Texas Community Colleges
Community College Journal of Research and Practice, v44 n3 p181-210 2020
Although the recent annual growth rate in the U.S. paramedical field has been 4%, Latino and African American men have been significantly underrepresented in the field compared to their proportion in the U.S. population at large. This problem threatens both the quality and quantity of available emergency health care. The purpose of this study was to describe how Men of Color (MOC) in community college paramedical programs experienced their awareness, interest, and proactive choice of paramedicine as a course of study. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach and Social Cognitive Career Theory as a theoretical framework, I interviewed 23 MOC enrolled during one semester across three community college paramedical programs in the southwestern U.S.: 9 Latino and 14 African American, aged 18-29 with mean age 22 years. The focus of the interview questions was the participants' lived experiences at various career points, as well as the enablers and disablers they had encountered (Appendix A). I identified three metanarratives that were useful in enhancing recruitment of MOC to the paramedic field, specifically, the need for external sources of information, ongoing support, and external validation. Identified areas for further research included the recruitment dynamics of female paramedics, MOC persistence issues, and MOC job satisfaction assessments.
Descriptors: Community Colleges, Two Year College Students, Males, Allied Health Occupations, Allied Health Personnel, Vocational Interests, Career Choice, Hispanic American Students, African American Students, Minority Group Students, Student Interests, Barriers, Access to Information, Student Needs, Racial Factors, Cultural Influences, Mass Media Effects, High Schools, Influences, Information Dissemination, College Role, Mentors, Family Influence, Racial Bias, Performance, Altruism, Clothing
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A