The Longitudinal Impact of IT Self-Efficacy and Interest on Intent to Major

Authors

Qinhui Wang, Oklahoma State UniversityFollow
Andy Luse, Oklahoma State UniversityFollow
Julie Rursch, Iowa State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Although enrollment in information technology has increased, it cannot match the growth of the IT labor market with more students needed to enter into the IT field to fulfill demand. This research follows high school students for two years regarding the choice of IT as a college major using the lens of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) to better understand career decision-making over time. Self-efficacy, interest, and intent to major relationships are examined both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Findings show that IT self-efficacy has a significant positive effect on interest and intent to major respectively and interest in IT has a significant positive effect on intent to major in IT. These are consistent with previous research in SCCT. Contrarily, only IT self-efficacy increases over time, while intent to major decreases during this same two-year time period.

Recommended Citation

Wang, Qinhui; Luse, Andy; and Rursch, Julie (2024) "The Longitudinal Impact of IT Self-Efficacy and Interest on Intent to Major," Journal of the Midwest Association for Information Systems (JMWAIS): Vol. 2024: Iss. 1, Article 2.
DOI: 10.17705/3jmwa.000086
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jmwais/vol2024/iss1/2

DOI

10.17705/3jmwa.000086