Vol 59 (1), Mar 2015

 

The need for food safety related professionals in the food and agricultural sciences is projected to increase by 10% from 2010 to 2020. Undergraduate institutions need to meet this demand by recruiting students into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) major areas of study that support food safety professional career paths. The predictability of factors influencing students to choose STEM and non-STEM majors in three colleges offering baccalaureate degrees related to food and agriculture sciences, liberal arts and other non-STEM majors was investigated. An online survey obtained information from students (N=458) regarding the influence of factors related to extracurricular activities, aptitude, environment, relationships, career ambitions and educational experiences on a student’s choice of major. The survey data was used to generate odds ratios using logistic regression analysis. The odds ratios provided a comparison of predictors that potentially influenced a student’s choice of a major when all other factors in the study were accounted for. The inclusive logistic regression model identified three predictors as highly significant (P < 0.01) in choosing a STEM major in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Agriculture and Biological Sciences and Education and Human Sciences. The odds ratios of passion for chosen career (1.50, P<0.01), financial gain and stability (1.98, P<0.001) and high school courses (1.14, P<0.001) were all highly significant. These predictable variables potentially influence recruitment strategies for universities and the educational STEM programs in high schools and introductory college courses.