The effect of student motivation on career and technical education program completion and continuation
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[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] President Obama's Race to the Top initiative encourages college and career readiness among high school students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an integral part of many students' success, specifically if they want to pursue a career that does not require a four-year degree. Various programs are offered to high school students to jumpstart their careers in a hands-on training environment. This study explores the motivations of CTE program completers to pursue or not pursue the career path that they studied during high school. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. The interviews take an inside look at the stories of eight program completers who share their personal experiences during high school, as well as their current endeavors. Participants were asked questions pertaining to their motivations to choose a program, their experiences during a program, including interactions with both the instructor(s) and other students and their motivations to continue their program-related career or switch to a different career. The results validate the impact of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on the career decisions that CTE graduates make. If career placement is the main focus of Career and Technical Education, then the marketing strategies should be reevaluated to more appropriately showcase the intentions of CTE. This study leads to further research by broadening the sample, specifically rural and urban settings. Career and Technical Education is a valuable opportunity for high school students that should be encouraged, with appropriate guidance from involved educators.
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