An Exploration of First-Generation Educational and Career Pathways

Location

PANEL: Sociology Honors Pt. II
Mudd 113
Moderator: Greggor Mattson

Document Type

Presentation - Oberlin Community Only

Start Date

5-1-2026 4:30 PM

End Date

5-1-2026 5:30 PM

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examines the motivations and aspirations behind the fields of study and career interests of first-generation (FG; first-gen) college students. While previous research has quantitatively demonstrated a tendency toward vocationally-specific majors among this group, this study seeks to uncover the motivations and rationales behind their college major decisions and post-graduate plans. Quantitatively, I used the 2023 Panel Study of Income Dynamics: Transition into Adulthood Supplement to compare the major decisions among first- and continuing-generation students to determine if the pattern observed in previous studies is replicable. Qualitatively, this study goes further by conducting in-depth interviews with 18 third- or fourth-year first-gen students attending a small, private liberal arts college in the Midwest. Findings suggest that first-generation status is mediated through various identity and social context factors that differentiate students' experiences. As such, adapt their declared fields of study according to both a passion- and practicality-based rationale, blending their interests through combinations of major(s), minor(s), and concentration(s) to achieve their desired outcomes and specificity.

Keywords:

Higher education, Mixed-methods, College major(s), Career decisions

Notes

Access to the presentation slides is available to Oberlin College users only.

Major

Sociology

Award

Jerome Davis Research Fund

Project Mentor(s)

Daphne John, Sociology

2026

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May 1st, 4:30 PM May 1st, 5:30 PM

An Exploration of First-Generation Educational and Career Pathways

PANEL: Sociology Honors Pt. II
Mudd 113
Moderator: Greggor Mattson

This mixed-methods study examines the motivations and aspirations behind the fields of study and career interests of first-generation (FG; first-gen) college students. While previous research has quantitatively demonstrated a tendency toward vocationally-specific majors among this group, this study seeks to uncover the motivations and rationales behind their college major decisions and post-graduate plans. Quantitatively, I used the 2023 Panel Study of Income Dynamics: Transition into Adulthood Supplement to compare the major decisions among first- and continuing-generation students to determine if the pattern observed in previous studies is replicable. Qualitatively, this study goes further by conducting in-depth interviews with 18 third- or fourth-year first-gen students attending a small, private liberal arts college in the Midwest. Findings suggest that first-generation status is mediated through various identity and social context factors that differentiate students' experiences. As such, adapt their declared fields of study according to both a passion- and practicality-based rationale, blending their interests through combinations of major(s), minor(s), and concentration(s) to achieve their desired outcomes and specificity.