Making a major decision: an exploration of why students enroll in fashion programmes

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Elena Karpova, Putman & Hayes Distinguished Professor (Creator)
Nancy J. Nelson Hodges, Burlington Industries Professor and Head (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Much like deciding where to go to college, for many students, deciding what to major in is a complex, multi-dimensional process wherein several different variables may influence the final decision. Understanding the motivations behind the decision to enroll in a particular major can shed light on the factors that attract potential students to a major. To understand the key aspects of the decision to major in fashion, in-depth interviews were conducted with 41 female students currently enrolled at two large US universities. Interpretation of issues that surfaced within the interviews revealed commonalities among participants' motivations for selecting the major and thoughts on the link between the major and future professional goals. Results point to the importance of understanding student perceptions of the opportunities provided by a degree in fashion and the implications these perceptions might have for fashion programmes.

Additional Information

Publication
International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 2(2), 47-57
Language: English
Date: 2009
Keywords
college major, employment, fashion education, textile sector

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