Research Blog #4

Chrissy Tympanick

The topic I am choosing to explore is how the choices one makes in college affects success post graduation. I will take a look at four different aspects of important choices, which include choice of major, choices in socialization, and choices regarding debts. I will look at many variables that affect these choices, such as class, status, gender and personal interest. I will research as to why some students will experience failure, or success after graduation. Certain variables that go into choice making are whether they party a lot, whether they are part of the “elite class” and what race or gender they are. Some students cannot succeed if they are part of the “lower” class if they party too much because they cannot afford to put off debts and finish the classes they may have failed. However, students with strong parental support do not have as dire consequences from their choices because they are wealthy enough to graduate debt free, and can party and choose any major that they please. Privatization places emphasis on choice in college, and depending on certain variables, success can either be expected, or success will not happen.

The main research will involve how the choice of major, choice of socialization, debt, and class and status affect success post graduation. I believe there to be various angles that this topic is seen. Some may think that college major, socialization, debt, and class/status do not have anything to do with success post graduation. Some may argue that it is personal interest and motivation that affect success. A student may beat all odds and have tremendous success even with being part of the “lower” class and having a lot of debt. They may socialize a great deal and not have a job in their major.  I believe that exploring these four variables in college choices is a great way to understand how the choices a college student makes affects success, and what other aspects can be taken into account when exploring this.

I will explore the college major theory, and whether major or choice of school could possibly affect success. I have looked at an article that uses numerical data to explore this aspect of college choices. I can look at this data and see if major and college selection had any affect on success, specifically on CEO’s of major companies. I will also look at the socialization aspect, and I could potentially look at the article “Paying for the Party” by Armstrong and Hamilton. I can explore reasons as to why particular students flourished or failed in school because of socialization choices. Another aspect of choice I will examine is debt, and how it affects choice. I can look at “Walden on Wheels” by Ken Ilgunas. He made many particular choices regarding money during his college years, especially the fact that he lived in a van to cut costs and stay out of debt. He altered his way of life so that he could pay off his debt, and chose to live frugally so that he did not have to be under the looming money that he owed. Lastly, I would like to look at the class/status aspect of success. It is believed that if a student is part of the “elite” class, their choices do not have as much consequence as those who are in the “lower” class. Those in the elite class may be able to pay off debt, and do as they wish in college without any serious consequence.

I am going to look for numerical data regarding college major in the Major Selection article by Janis Dietz. She explores many good aspects of college major choice by gender and race. I plan on researching how socialization affects success, and an additional question would be: Does partying affect the elite class, or just the lower class? Also in the case of debt, I would like to see if debt affects those in the elite class at all and their choices, or only the lower class. Also, how do students deal with debt, do they choose to ignore it or are they conscious and make a deliberate effort to overcome it? Lastly, as for class and status, I would like to explore how the elite class can get by in college without having any consequence to their actions. Is this true for many student, or just a select few?