Career Development Courses and Educational Outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M. Hansen ◽  
Aaron P. Jackson ◽  
Tyler R. Pedersen

Research suggests that career development courses have positive impacts on college students’ career development outputs. What is less established is the impact of these career courses on educational outcomes like retention, graduation rate, and academic performance. This study compared two groups of undergraduate students: one that successfully completed a career development course ( n = 3,546) and a matched group of students who did not take the career course ( n = 3,510). The groups were compared on graduation rate, time to graduation, course withdrawals, and cumulative grade point averages (GPAs). The career development course was not a significant predictor of graduation within 6 years, the number of semesters to graduate, or the number of withdrawals incurred. However, the career development course did significantly predict the total number of credits (participants graduated with about five more credits) and cumulative GPA at graduation (participants graduated with higher GPAs).

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 963-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Pringle

This study provided an initial test of a comprehensive model of individual performance. The extent to which one's opportunity, capacity, and willingness to perform predict one's actual performance is examined. A questionnaire designed to measure opportunity, capacity, and willingness was administered to 213 college students, while performance was measured by the students' grade point averages Scores on Capacity and Willingness interacted to provide a reasonably accurate prediction of performance, but the effect of scores on Opportunity was nonsignificant.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah McKenzie ◽  
Tony Xing Tan ◽  
Edward C. Fletcher ◽  
Andrea Jackson-Williams

We sought to determine whether receiving major re-selection (MRS) advising benefits undergraduate students' grade-point averages (GPAs). We used a quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group design to compare a treatment group (n = 219) of undergraduates who changed their majors after receiving MRS advising with a control group (n = 206) who changed majors without advising during the same semester as the treatment group. Findings showed that, on average, students who received MRS experienced no change in their program GPA but an increase in their semester GPA; however, the control group experienced a decrease in program and semester GPAs. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that MRS advising had a positive effect on posttest semester GPAs (β = .33, p < .001) and program GPAs (β = .28, p < .001). Implications for student advising are discussed.


Author(s):  
Argyroula Kalaitzaki

Cyberstalking is a rapidly growing phenomenon, which is becoming more common among youth nowadays. The study aimed at investigating: 1) the prevalence, behaviors, and tactics of both victims and perpetrators among a sample of Greek undergraduate students, 2) the correlates of victimization and perpetration with personality, attachment style, and relating to others, and 3) the impact of cyberstalking on victims' mental health. Results showed that 23.9% of the students were victims and 9% were perpetrators, with females, disproportionately both experiencing and inflicting cyberstalking. Negatively close relating (i.e., intrusive, restrictive and possessive relating) increased the risk of cyberstalking perpetration, whereas negatively distant relating (suspicious, avoidant, and self-reliant relating) decreased the risk of cyberstalking victimization. Agreeableness decreased the risk of perpetration. Mother's affectionless control increased the risk of both perpetration and victimization and mother's neglectful parenting increased the risk of perpetration only.


Author(s):  
Mohammed Lahkim ◽  
Anrieta Draganova

This research aims to create a methodology for the integration of leadership development in teaching Information Technology (IT) courses by using the Problem Based Learning method (PBL). The research objective was pursued through a review of important current and future leadership skills that IT students need to develop in order to meet IT job market challenges. A conceptual leadership model was developed. This research then investigated the alignment of this conceptual model with the skills requirements of the IT job market and the impact of employing the PBL approach. This study used a quantitative method of survey that was completed by undergraduate students enrolled in an IT web development course. Findings indicated that the use of PBL is an integral part of the process of daily leadership development in teaching IT courses. Students’ perceptions were studied and positive views were recorded.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atefeh Yazdanparast ◽  
Mathew Joseph ◽  
Fernanda Muniz

Purpose The present research investigates the influence of brand-based social media marketing (SMM) activities on metrics of consumer-based brand equity (CBBE). Specifically, the study examines the role of consumer-brand social media experiences on attitude toward SMM activities of brands and its consequent impact on brand perceptions. Design/methodology/approach Paper-and-pencil surveys were administered to undergraduate students in a Southwestern university in exchange for extra credit. Survey questions were adapted from previously validated scales, and measurement adaptations were minimal and only related to the context of questions to assure their relevance with the context of this study. Bi-variate correlation, bootstrapping technique, Sobel test, ANOVA and linear regression were used to test the hypotheses. Findings The results indicate that brand-based SMM is essential in impacting consumers’ attitudes toward brands and consequently, CBBE reflected via perceived value for the cost, perceived uniqueness and the willingness to pay a price premium for a brand. Additionally, the main reason for individuals to use social media impacts their attitudes toward and receptiveness of SMM activities of brands. Research limitations/implications This study used a sample of college students to address the research questions. Considering the higher adoption rate and interest in social media among younger consumer groups, the results may not be representative of the entire population. Much of the existing research on social media, however, has focused on undergraduate college students and is primarily based on studies utilizing the similar research population. Originality/value The present research is one of the few studies that empirically examine the impact of consumer-brand interactions/experiences on consumers’ attitudes toward SMM activities of brands, as well as brand-related knowledge and perceptions as reflected by CBBE. The results indicate that the CBBE model of the twenty-first century should incorporate the role of brand-based SMM activities as facilitators of brand knowledge (i.e. brand awareness and brand image) by reinforcing or even shaping important brand-based associations.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanna M. Martinez ◽  
Michael A. Grandner ◽  
Aydin Nazmi ◽  
Elias Ruben Canedo ◽  
Lorrene D. Ritchie

The prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among college students is alarmingly high, yet the impact on student health has not been well investigated. The aim of the current study was to examine the simultaneous relationships between food insecurity and health-related outcomes including body mass index (BMI) and overall health in a college student population. Randomly sampled students in the University of California 10 campus system were invited to participate in an online survey in spring 2015. The analytic sample size was 8705 graduate and undergraduate students. Data were collected on FI in the past year, daily servings of fruits and vegetables (FV), number of days in the past week of enough sleep and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), height and weight, self-rated health, and student characteristics. Using path analysis, mediated pathways between FI, BMI, and poor health were examined through FV intake, number of days of MVPA and enough sleep. Analyses controlled for student characteristics. Mean BMI was 23.6 kg/m2 (SD, 5.0), and average self-rated health was good. FI was directly and indirectly related to higher BMI and poor health through three pathways. First, FI was related to fewer days of enough sleep, which in turn was related to increased BMI and poor health. Second, FI was related to fewer days of MVPA, which in turn was related to increased BMI and poor health. Third, FI was related to fewer daily servings of FV, which in turn was related to poor health. FI is associated with poor health behaviors among college students, which may contribute to higher weight status and poor health. These findings highlight the importance of food security for a healthy college experience.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelyne Boumosleh ◽  
Doris Jaalouk

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Smartphone use is almost universally relied on among college students. Whether smartphone addiction among college students has a negative predictive effect on academic performance is hardly studied. Previous research found an apparent association between smartphone use and academic achievement partly explained by the nature of the task the student is engaged in when using a smartphone. This study aims to assess the relationship between smartphone addiction and students’ academic performance controlling for important potential confounding variables.METHODS: A sample of 688 undergraduate students was randomly selected from Notre Dame University, Lebanon. Students were asked to fill out a questionnaire that included a) questions on variables related to socio-demographics, academics, smartphone use, and lifestyle behaviors; and b) a 26-item Smartphone Addiction Inventory (SPAI) Scale. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the independent association between smartphone addiction and cumulative grade point average (GPA).RESULTS: 49% reported smartphone use for at least 5 hours during a weekday. Controlling for confounding effects in the model, the association between total SPAI score and GPA did not reach statistical significance, whereas alcohol drinking (OR= 2.10, p=0.026), age at first use of smartphone (OR=1.20, p=0.042), use of smartphone for study-related purposes (OR=0.31, p=0.000), class (OR=0.35 (senior vs. sophomore standing), p=0.024), and faculty (ORs of 0.38 and 0.35 (engineering and humanities, respectively, vs. business students)) were found to be independent predictors of reporting a GPA of < 3.CONCLUSION: Findings from our study can be used to better inform college administrators and faculty about most-at- risk groups of students who shall be targeted in any intervention designed to enhance low academic performance.


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