The impact of career and technical student organizations on student career pathway choices at one mid-western urban public high school

Abstract

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) provide quality learning opportunities for students to explore future career pathways. The urban midwestern public high school case study in this research had students participating in four Career and Technical Student Organizations; FBLA, FCCLA, DECA, and SkillsUSA. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact CTSOs had on student choices in career pathway planning. It was first determined that the school did not have a method to collect data on the effectiveness of student organizations and how they correlated to student's career choices. This mixed-methods case study focused on the impacts CTSOs had on career choices for students. As well as the perceptions participants had upon graduating from high school. A literature review provided background content for CTSOs and career pathways. A quantitative demographic survey was sent to twenty-three past graduates in which seventeen responded and provided demographic data. A qualitative semi-structured interview was also conducted with five of the survey respondents which each provided a narrative of their experiences in CTSOs and how they impacted their career choices. Overall it was determined that CTSOs have a positive impact on student's career pathway choices through a number of hands-on experiences and opportunities.