An Exploration of First-Generation Educational and Career Pathways

Location

PANEL: Sociology Honors Pt. II
Wilder 101
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 college students (FGCSs). 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 2021 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 15 third- or fourth-year FGCSs attending a small, private liberal arts college in the Midwest. Preliminary results suggest that FGCSs 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.

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
Greggor Mattson, Sociology
JeffriAnne Wilder, 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
Wilder 101
Moderator: Greggor Mattson

This mixed-methods study examines the motivations and aspirations behind the fields of study and career interests of first-generation college students (FGCSs). 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 2021 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 15 third- or fourth-year FGCSs attending a small, private liberal arts college in the Midwest. Preliminary results suggest that FGCSs 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.