The Influence of Career Technical Student Organizations on College Success and Self Perceived Efficacy

Overview

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs) are organizations provided for high school students that aim to improve high school students’ knowledge of career clusters, contextual instruction, leadership and personal development, applied learning and real world application. There are eight nationally recognized CTSOs: Business Professionals of America, DECA, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Future Business Leaders of America - Phi Beta Lambda, HOSA - Future Health Professionals, National FFA Organization, SkillsUSA, and Technology Student Association. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of high school participation on college students. A survey distributed to 50 random and anonymous college students evaluated and measured the college students’ current grade point average, career readiness, and self perceived efficacy measured by the 21st Century Learning Skills. The study proved that career readiness and self perceived efficacy were both significantly higher for college students who participated in a CTSO in high school compared to students who did not participate in CTSO, but there was no indication of participation in a CTSO in high school greatly affecting college grade point average. The study also indicated that CTSO members who obtained leadership positions were likely to feel more career readiness and have a higher self perceived efficacy. This study intends to develop the claims of benefits of participating in a CTSO and potentially increase participation in these programs.

Competition history

• ISEF 2023 Behavioral and Social Sciences · Entry BEHA033 · Dallas, Texas, United States

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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