Why College Undergraduates Choose to Major in Information Technology: A Multi-Theoretical Perspective

摘要

The proposed study plans to explore the impacts of computer self-efficacy, outcome expectations, personality, interest in computers, attitudes, subjective norm, behavioral control, social support, and perceived IT job availability on college students' decisions to pursue information technology careers. The paper will develop a theoretical model based on social cognitive theory and the theory of planned behavior, as well as incorporating the elements of personality. The intent of this study is to extend the social cognitive theory (SCT) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) literatures by expanding their application to IT career choice issues and by including personality traits as additional factors. The latter addition also indicates a unique application of the five factor personality model, as it is rarely used in concert with self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and broad environmental factors such as job market demands. By combining multiple theories we hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of IT career choice and career choice issues in general.