Students’ Perceptions of Parental Roles
in Choice of Major and Undergraduate
Institution for First Generation College
Students in STEM majors
Presented By:
Stacy Fair
Director, Joyner Visitor Center
Director, Parents and Families Services
NC State University
SACRAO 2016 Conference
Oklahoma City, OK
Session Description
Have you considered the role parents play in the students' selection of
undergraduate major and institution? This session will discuss findings from
interviews with current first generation college students sharing how their
parents influenced their decision to attend NC State University and select
specific majors, as well as how the parents supported their students through the
college search process.
Why is this important?
• For offices that oversee campus visit and recruitment programs, it is important to recognize the significant
roles that parents play in their students' selection of undergraduate major and institution.
• In recent years, much attention has been given to the STEM pipeline and the need for more students to
successfully complete STEM degrees and enter STEM careers. Parents can play a critical role in the
support and encouragement of their students to achieve these goals.
Today’s plan:
Background information
1. Review what we know about parents
2. Explore a campus example of placing priority on parents
Research study
1. Review what we know about first generation college students
2. Review what we know about STEM pipeline and undergraduate major/institution
choice
3. Review findings of the research study
4. Determine how can we empower parents to support their student through the college
search and major selection process
What do we know about Parents?
- Have great influence throughout the college planning process from campus
visits, to applications, and final decisions
- Affect student development while student attends college - encouraging or
discouraging certain experiences
- Provide emotional support
- Provide financial support
- Influence student behaviors, attitudes, and values
- Impact persistence and achievement of their student
- Students today welcome parental involvement and benefit from it. Students
needs parents to guide them through the transitions and challenges in higher
education
- When parents are informed, students benefit
Vianden, J., & Ruder, J. T. (2012). "Our best friend is moving away": Exploring parent transition and involvement during
their student's first year in college. Journal of College and University Student Housing, 38(2), 62-77. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ980292&site=ehost-live&scope=site;
http://www.acuho-i.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1007
Campus Example: NC State University
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Located in Raleigh, NC
34,000 total students
25,000 undergraduates
Land grant Institution, largest in NC
12 colleges representing diverse
academic fields
 Known for STEM areas
 3 sections composing one campus:
North and Central (Main campus),
Centennial Campus,
Biomedical Centennial Campus
Division of Enrollment Management and Services
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Undergraduate Admissions
Registration and Records
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Summer School
EMAS communications
Joyner Visitor Center
Parents & Families Services
Serving prospective students & families
through admission, enrollment,
persistence, and graduation touching all
aspects of the student and family
experience
Office of Parents & Families Services
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Parents’ Helpline Phone & Email
Handbook/Calendar
Website
Print and Electronic Newsletters
Emergency Communications
Events and Presentations*
Online Resources
Social Media
Parent Advisory Committee
Helpline: 919.515.2441
Email: ncstateparents@ncsu.edu
Website: parents.ncsu.edu
Outreach to Parents
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University Events
Daily Admissions information sessions at the Joyner Visitor Center
Parent Orientation (Summer and January)
College recruitment and yield events
Experience NC State (yield event)
Pack previews (recruitment and yield)
University Open House (recruitment and yield)
Transfer student events (recruitment, yield, and current)
90+ events annually
Parents & Families Services Events
Parents & Families Weekend
Spring Fling
First in Family luncheon
Transfer and Spring admit luncheons
Various receptions
Emergency related training and events
What do we know about 1st generation college students?
- More likely to be minorities, have lower socioeconomic status, larger blended
families, or single parent homes, and less parental guidance when it comes to
choosing a college or major.
- No matter what these students look like, they may have the feeling that they
are different from the majority, who on the outside, seem more privileged. They
may feel like they have to work harder and be stronger to make it. These
students in general have to overcome a lot of challenges to be successful
through high school and to continue that success in college.
- They may have experienced parental unemployment, mental instability, and
health concerns. They may have English as a second language. They may
not have some of the extracurricular opportunities that non-first generation
students enjoy.
“I’m First” website: www.imfirst.org
What do we know about STEM pipeline
and college/undergraduate major choice
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In most cases research supports the concern
that the United States needs more STEM
graduates to compete in the global economy
(BHEF, 2011).
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One barrier to the U.S. reaching this goal is that
some of our most talented students may not
have the necessary support needed to gain
access to an undergraduate education in a
STEM field (Pittaoulis, 2012).
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This is especially true of first generation college
students who may lack parental support or
knowledge to aid them in making decisions about
higher education (Hall, 2011).
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Research surrounding the issues related to the
STEM pipeline centers on Bandura’s (1986)
social cognitive theory.
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Self Efficacy and interest (Heilbronner, 2011) are
noted as contributing to choice of undergraduate
major.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory.
Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Business-Higher, E. F. (2011). Meeting the STEM workforce challenge: Leveraging higher
education's untapped potential to prepare tomorrow's STEM workforce. BHEF
policy brief Business-Higher Education Forum. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=ED527257&site=
ehost-live&scope=site
Hall, C., Dickerson, J., Batts, D., Kauffmann, P., & Bosse, M. (2011). Are we missing
opportunities to encourage interest in STEM fields? Journal of Technology
Education, 23(1), 32-46. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=
EJ965337&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Heilbronner, N. N. (2011). Stepping onto the STEM pathway: Factors affecting talented
students' declaration of STEM majors in college. Journal for the Education of the
Gifted, 34(6), 876-899. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=
EJ949791&site=ehostlive&scope=site; http://dx.doi.org.prox.lib.ncsu.edu/10.1177/0162353211425100
Pittaoulis, Melissa (01/01/2012). "Getting through School: A Study of How Students Select
Their College Majors
and Plan for the Future". ProQuest LLC
Research Questions
- How do first generation college
students describe the role their
parents play in their choice of college
and undergraduate majors in STEM
fields?
- Of what importance is the selection
of an undergraduate major in first
generation college students’ decision
to attend college?
- What do first generation college
students want from their parents in
regards to their choice of institution
and choice of major?
Methodology
This study used a phenomenological qualitative approach. The meaning of the phenomenon surrounding the choice of
majors and the role of parental influence in the process emerged. The depth and richness that resulted brings to light
the meaning and multiple realities that existed for the participants.
The interview questions and methods in the study flow from the underlying social constructivism framework which allows
for multiple realities that are constructed through lived experiences and interactions with others. Reality in this sense is
co-constructed between the researcher and the participants and is shaped by the individuals’ experiences.
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Sample students were selected and invited to participate in interviews
Interviews were conducted individually in the student union
Interviews were transcribed
The transcriptions were analyzed to determine common themes that spoke to the essence of the meaning of the
phenomenon
- Text stories from the “I’m first” website were reviewed
- An interview with an academic advisor was conducted
Findings from Student Interviews
Significant Statement
“My college experience was what I saw on TV. Like the bigger schools, the
football games…I just didn't know what I wanted…It's so overwhelming.”
“They always kinda preached that I'd be really good at doing this and all the
political talk and strong opinions, so they kinda set the groundwork for me.”
“I think I did it totally wrong…I picked what I wanted to major in first…I didn't
really tour anywhere. I looked at colleges online.”
Theme
Concern with the selection of undergraduate
college and major process, due to no personal
experience.
Factors that influenced major choice
Factors that determined college choice
“My dad would talk with someone from admissions and someone from financial Parental support in the search process
aid and scholarships…My mom was more of, “Do you like it?”
“Honestly, it was never really a choice of whether I was going to college...It was Parental expectation for student to go to
just ingrained in my brain that you go to college and that's what you do after high college
school.”
“I think us both kinda doing it together without them leading the process was
good because it was a cooperative process…It would have been helpful
definitely if my parents had more information, but I think it made it a little more
valuable for us having to put in the extra effort.”
Reflections on the college search process
“I would want my mom to say, 'It's up to you, Honey,' less…I just want guidance.” Desire for parental guidance
Findings from “I’m First” http://www.imfirst.org
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Students were from immigrant families, poor families, families with
substance abuse, children in foster care or adopted children.
Some have parental support. Many lack it, and many seek to succeed in
spite of the lack of support.
Interest in sports draws first generation students to college.
Frequent mentions of, “going to college” or the value of education.
Majors in Education and Nursing or Health Care mentioned.
The contrast between the “I’m First” website and the
interviews is significant. An underlying theme of
prosperity echoed from the student interviews. The
interviewees exhibited self-efficacy and specific plans
to reach their academic and career goals. The stories
on the website discussed barriers and the notion of
simply, “going to college” without mention of specific
plans to reach goals.
Findings from Advisor Interview
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Educating parents is important.
Advise all students in the first year as
if they are Engineering so they will
have all options open.
Most students change majors. There
is too much emphasis on majors.
Parents of first generation college
students trust the University to do the
right thing.
Parents’ stress is felt by their students.
“Our students are more stressed out than they’ve ever
been. Part of it is their own stress but a part is their
parents’ stress. They want them to get out. They want
them to get a job…and so everybody who comes, first
gen, the majority of them have extremely high goals
and aspirations.”
Discussion and Implications
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Parental Support
Major Choice
College Choice
• Influences choice
of major
• Sets the
expectation to
attend college
• Encourages the
college search
process
• Influenced by
parents and family
• Influenced by
other adults
• Seems undesirable
to be undecided
• Major changes are
frequent
• Students selected
major first then
college
• Learned from TV
• Gained from
interest in sports
• Selected based on
major and level of
comfort
• Started late
• Did it wrong
• Adults other than
parents assisted
• Parents assisted as
they could
First generation college students want guidance in the college search process and major selection process.
There is a need to educate parents to support their student through the college search process and major selection
process.
Major selection is of utmost importance to the students.
Future Research
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What methods are most useful for educating first generation college
parents regarding the college search process and major selection
process so they can best support their students?
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What types of parental support are most beneficial for the student?
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What effect does parental support in college choice and major
selection have on the STEM pipeline?
Questions and Contact Information
Stacy Fair, M.Ed
Director, Joyner Visitor Center
Director, Parents & Families Services
NC State University
1210 Varsity Dr. CB 7404
Raleigh, NC 27606
slfair@ncsu.edu
919-513-2102