CAREER ASPIRATIONS OF SELECTED FFA MEMBERS

Abstract

This descriptive study conducted in 2003 utilized random sampling techniques for accessing the 450,000 members of the National FFA Organization. The purpose of the study was to describe career aspirations of FFA members within, and related to, USDE career clusters, Supervised Agricultural Experiences, Career Development Event participation and career related demographic indicators. The study compared results to a similar study conducted in 1999. The data revealed that FFA members are busy with involvement in multiple sports and multiple clubs within their school and that a majority hold a job. FFA members across the nation consistently connect to agriculture with over half of all respondents reporting involvement in raising animals or crops as an SAE. The data revealed that FFA members strongly associate with production practices in agriculture through their involvement in FFA activities. Eighty-seven percent of all respondents aspire to some form of post-secondary education or technical training. One-third of all respondents indicated their first choice of careers within the USDE career clusters to be agriculture while health sciences received 14%. A recommendation is that the National FFA Organization develop activities and awards programs that emphasize skills and careers found within the broader life sciences industry.