Exploring Factors Influencing the Continued Interest in a Computer Science Major

For this research paper, our study used a qualitative approach to better understand factors that impact the retention of students in computer science majors and minors at Virginia Tech, a large research university, and whether there were differences by gender. With increasing industry demand for graduates with computer science degrees, it is important for universities to identify methods for attracting and retaining students, particularly women, in computer science. Interactionalist theory which suggests student retention to a degree is based on personal and environmental factors provided the framework guiding our study. In addition, career certainty models allowed us to investigate how experiences at the undergraduate level influenced career interest in computer science. Questions included prompts to reflect on environmental and personal factors that sustained or diminished interest in continuing within a computer science degree and ultimately a career. Significant results suggest that females and males have a similar undergraduate experience and our results indicate that across institutions there are actionable steps that faculty members and graduate teaching assistants can take to positively influence career interest in computer science for undergraduates. Results also underscore steps that faculty can take to design educational approaches within their classrooms that would sustain interest in a computer science degree among both males and females.