Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 02170073
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED242226 AUTHOR: Hesse Biber, Sharlene; Gosselin, Joan McGregor
TITLE: Career and Lifestyle Aspirations of Boston College
Undergraduates.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1982
NOTE: 19 p.
AVAILABILITY: Office of Affirmative Action, McGuinn 405,
Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167.
ABSTRACT: Lifestyle and career plans of Boston College
undergraduate students were studied, along with the
influences of family and religious background, the college
academic environment, and the college social environment. A
total of 298 male and 634 female students completed a study
questionnaire in 1981. Although both men and women expected
to have families and careers, there were clear differences
between the sexes in the parental responsibilities they
envisioned and in the specific occupations they hoped to
enter. Women respondents tended to select careers
traditionally defined as acceptable for women and expressed
somewhat less confidence that they would be successful in
their work than did the men. Students' work and lifestyle
goals were shaped primarily by family and friends. While
most students held positive views of the college, they
credited the academic environment with little influence upon
their aspirations. It was found that women tended to use
career advisement services later in their academic careers
than men did, and that the college did not offer an adequate
range of female role models. It was concluded that although
Boston College was not hindering women from working toward
realistic career goals, it was not directly helping them
either. Eleven recommendations are offered for the college.
(SW)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Family-Influence; Females-; Higher
Education; Institutional-Research; Males-; Student-College
Relationship
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Career-Choice; *Family-Life; *Occupational
Aspiration; *Sex-Differences; *Sex-Role; *Undergraduate
Students
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