HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS CASE STUDY: WHAT IS INFORMATION SYSTEMS?

Abstract

Although the demand for professionals in the field of Information Systems continues to grow, attracting students into Information Systems programs is a challenge. Today’s high school students belong to Gen Z, one of the largest, most educated, and diverse generations. Because this group is just beginning to graduate high school and enter the workforce, understanding what influences their career choices and their perception of Information Systems is of great importance. This research investigates 237 high school students’ perceptions of Information Systems. The authors used a qualitative coding process to explain what influences them when considering classes or a career in Information Systems. Five categories emerged from the analysis: Occupation, Ambivalence, Situation, Self-Efficacy and Unspecified/Blank. These findings may provide insight into the career-making processes of current high school students and contribute to meeting the growing market demands for Information Systems professionals by identifying and promoting pathways into the field for a new generation of Information Systems professionals.