Examining the Unexpected: The Occurrence and Impact of Chance Events on Life Science Graduate Students' Career Intentions
| Title: | Examining the Unexpected: The Occurrence and Impact of Chance Events on Life Science Graduate Students' Career Intentions |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Hope Ferguson (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal for STEM Education Research. 2025 8(1):129-154. |
| Availability: | Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 26 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Graduate Students, Biological Sciences, Career Choice, Occupational Aspiration, Intention, Student Attitudes, STEM Education, Experience, Anxiety, Research Universities, Barriers, Coping, Stress Variables |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s41979-024-00122-3 |
| ISSN: | 2520-8705 2520-8713 |
| Abstract: | Previous studies have linked experiences with chance events to shifts in career intentions, but they have not investigated chance events as agents of career shifts in graduate students. This study investigated the types of chance events and perceived impacts of those events on the career intentions of life science graduate students at a university in the southeastern United States. We used a survey to investigate three questions: (1) Do life science graduate students experience chance events, and if so, what types of chance events were most common? (2) What is the relationship between impact level and valence of chance events on participants' career intentions? (3) How do participants describe the impacts of chance events on their career intentions? Of the 39 respondents, 92% reported a chance event during graduate school, with 85% reporting high impacts on their career intentions; none perceived these impacts as solely negative. Participants described chance events' impacts on their careers as presenting challenges, affording insights, spurring evaluations, and providing opportunities. These findings highlight the positive opportunities chance events may provide graduate students. Understanding how these events shape career intentions can inform career development resources that empower graduate students to see chance events as opportunities for growth. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1458065 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| ISSN: | 2520-8705 2520-8713 |
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| DOI: | 10.1007/s41979-024-00122-3 |
| Published in: | Journal for STEM Education Research |
| Language: | English |