What Is a Biology Degree Without a Career Goal or a Strategy to Reach That Goal? An Analysis of Career Goals of Graduating Biology Majors

Improving the rate at which individuals enter STEM careers remains a national concern, and there is a critical need for additional research examining the impact of career development programs for undergraduate STEM majors. Most career development studies are grounded in Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), which states that students progressing toward careers need to identify a career goal and implement strategies to reach this goal. We surveyed Biology majors in their final semester to learn more about the participant’s career goal(s) and the strategies they implement to reach these goals. We found that most students have only one career goal and that this goal is most likely centered in the health sciences. Additionally, we show that students are lacking in specific strategies to reach these goals and that strategies students do provide do not always integrate with their career goals. These data suggest that graduating Biology majors are not aligned with the central tenants of SCCT.