The study explored men\u27s choice of apparel academic college major and, subsequently, a non-traditional career. Phenomenological tradition guided the research. In-depth individual interviews were completed with 22 male students enrolled in an apparel program. Three topical areas emerged from the data analyses and interpretation. The first topical area explored the dynamics of male students entering the apparel major. Using a non-traditional career choice typology, participants were classified as \u22settlers\u22 and \u22seekers.\u22 The second topical area elucidated motivations behind the participants\u27 decisions to major in apparel. Personal attitudes and abilities were important motivators in the choice of the major, but not social influencers. The third topical area presents students\u27 career orientation. The results provide practical and theoretical contributions for understanding men\u27s career entry, career orientation, and underlying personal motivators to declare a non-traditional career. A theoretical framework for explaining non-traditional career choices made by male students was proposed.
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