Literature Review #3

Title of Article: An Exploration of First-Generation College Students’ Career Development Beliefs and Experiences

Citation:
Tate, Kevin A., et al. "An Exploration Of First-Generation College Students' Career Development Beliefs And Experiences." Journal Of Career Development 42.4 (2015): 294-310. ERIC.

Authors: Tate, Kevin A.; Caperton, William; Kaiser, Dakota; Pruitt, Nathan T.; White, Heather; Hall, Eric

First generation college students (FGCS/FGS) are unique. They bring something different to the table that non-FGS bring. Motivation is one of them. Yes this blog is titled why they are more likely to fail, but why not highlight why they also may not fail, and in the article aforementioned, the experts go into detail what FGS bring to the table that non-FGS don't.

According to the study done by Tate et al., "FGCS have a self-perceived set of unique strengths that they bring to bear on their college experiences"(307). Sometimes being the underdog is what some people need to propel themselves forward. It's not always easy trying be on top and staying there. The 

"hunger" some of the FGS have is actually what works in their favor, as they move up in ranks to graduate. By ranks, it means they defy the odds that have been set by society; "FGCS often do not perform as well academically as, and persist to graduation at lower rates than, their peers who have more familial context for the college-going experience"(295).

Usually, FGS come from lower economic backgrounds, and like noted by a person interviewed in the study, FGS sometimes desire to give back to the parents after they made sacrifices. As noted in the study, "In another discussion about how much his parents struggled with their finances and jobs, one participant described his motivation to succeed" (303). Its obvious to note that the students feel that they owe it their parents to graduate and to be able to take hold of the financial aspect of the family after graduating.

I think this study will help me find the counter argument, or rather the solution to the problem many FGS have. Many outside pressures lead to drop out rates, but finding a way to combat them can help the groups' numbers rise in statistics.

About the authors:

From the small amount of information I was able to find on the authors, it seems that most of them work in some sort of counseling department for an institution. It could probably be assumed they have access to the statistics of FGS and therefore can do research in the retention rates.