Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1992

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural and Extension Education

Major Professor

John D. Todd

Committee Members

Randol Waters, Don Williams

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the career goals of women in agricultural education programs in high schools in the State of Tennessee. The study also identified the demographics of the students, the reasons female students enroll in the program, and the persons who they consult for advice regarding careers.

A questionnaire was developed to meet the objectives of the study. The data, gathered for the study, were analyzed using the University of Tennessee Computing Center IBM 3081 mainframe computer and the Statistical Package for the Social Scientists (SPSS) release 4.0. Descriptive statistics and appropriate inferential tests were used in the analysis.

FINDINGS

1. A majority of students did not live on a farm and had only completed one year of agricultural education.

2. Many female students were enrolled in ornamental horticulture.

3. A majority of female students planned to go to college but not to major in agriculture.

4. Students who planned to major in agriculture chose fields such as horticulture, animal science, and veterinary medicine.

5. Students who planned to major in another field chose nursing, business, and social work.

6. Students who planned to enter the work force chose areas such as clerical and sales occupations and service occupations.

7. The study found no significant difference between students who lived on a farm and those who did not live on a farm in relation to their career goals.

8. The study found no significant difference in the students' career choice in relation to their instructional area.

9. The highest rated reason female students enrolled in agricultural education was Agriculture sounds interesting and the reason which had the least amount of influence was To compete in contests.

11. The persons students most often seek career advice were themselves and the female parent or guardian.

12. The persons students least seek career advice were the minister and the guidance counselor.

IMPLICATIONS

1. Agricultural education programs need to be structured for students with a lack of basic agriculture knowledge.

2. Female students should be made aware or career opportunities in agriculture whether they plan to go to college or enter the work force.

3. Agricultural education teachers need to capitalize on the major reason for enrolling in agricultural education.

4. Agricultural education teachers need to develop a communication system with female parents or guardians.

5. The guidance counselors need to be made aware of careers in agriculture and students need to be made aware of the role of the guidance counselors.

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