The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-11-08
By DIR. r. E. DUNFORD
Associate Professor of Psychology,
University of Tenpssee

By DR.. r. E. DUNFORD
Associate Professor of Psychology,
University of Tennssee
The sincerit; of purpose of col
lege students has been frequent
w questioned. A study of the vo-
cational interests and purposes of
University of Tennessee students
indicates, however, that they are
eagerly alert to the problems of
their future.
In the spring quarter, 1885, two
students. Julia Atkin and Mar
earet Iiams, in an advanced course
in psychology, completed a study
of the vocational choices and in
terests Of POI students then in at
tendance at the University. The
sampling taken may be consider
ed as fairly representative, since
it included students from all
classes and colleges. There were
1882 men and 100 women in the
group studied. A description of
the method of the study would IN
itself comprise an article of con-
siderable length. Although Ques-
tionnaires were used a system of
inner-checks and statistical treat
ment established the reliability OF
the results.
The results furnish striking
evidence of the seriousness OF
purpose of students. Eigh: -one
per cent had either definitely or
tentatively chosen their future
work. Of this number Al per
cent had made definite choice
of vocation. While the number
of men students who had definite
ly chosen a vocation was greater
than the relative number of wo-
men, 3S per cent of the girls ques-
toned indicated a definite decl-
sion as to their future work.
CHOOSE VOCATION EARLY
The survey showed that fresh
men do not come to the unlvers-
| ity without rather clear notions
as to what they want to DO.
Seventy-three per cent of those
who had chosen a vocation had
made their choice before entering
college. Only a relatively small
percentage made their decisions
during their years as upper class
men.
Those students who had chosen
vocation, when asked the ques-
ton as to whether their major
subjects were actually preparing
them for their selected work, re-
piled as follows: specifically, AZ
per cent; generally, 46 per cent
doubtful, 8 per cent.
Among the reasons assigned
for selecting a vocation were the
following: feel of aptitude, 81 per
cent; influence of parents, 29 per
cent: money interest, II per cent.
! To this question, as to many 9th
ers, the answers given by men and
women were practically the same.
It is impossible to catalog here
the many vocations chosen. They
covered everything from costume
designing to mining, dentistry to
dietetics, and athletic coaching to
American foreign service. The
vocation most frequently chosen
was that of teacher"
=
SOME CHANGE MINDS
OF the 10 per cent of the entire
group that had not made a voca'
tional choice, approximately one
half had given up a choice prevl'
ously made. This group had re
ceived vocational guidance in hlgt
school to the same extent as hac
those whose choice had been made
, Guidance. in college was more ex
tensive for the latter group. 4.
(, One other observation is wor
} thy of note. Five per cent of tn
men who had selected their lif'
work said it would not be neces
: sary for them to earn their owl
, living. All of the men who ha'
: not decided on a vocation san
they would have to work OF ne
: cessity.
. The results of the stud
should be pleasing to every eau
Gator and to all people concernneS
I, with the training of youth. In
very fact that considerable nun
, Der of our college students are az
lively interested in their futr
: vocations is hopeful sign. Ths
, the students involved in this stud
will actually enter into thel
chosen fields is too much to e.
pect. Life does not operate thu
way. Many will perhaps be di
. appointed. Many will achiev
: ends far beyond their highe!
hopes. F-
One conclusion, however, W
are forced to accept. College ST.
= dents for the most part are M
indulging themselves in a "fou
wear loaf" They are preparin
|, for the work TO come.