ERIC Number: ED550765
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 184
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-2679-5447-3
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Discovering Shared Experiences of Second Generation Community College Employees: A Grounded Theory Study
Studebaker, Eric J.
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Idaho
The second generation community college employee had not been a target population of any previous research in the field of higher education. This study added to a broader understanding of employees, their various characteristics, and the implications of those characteristics. The purpose of this study was to develop a grounded theory defining the career satisfaction experiences of second generation community college employees at two rural community colleges in the Northwest. The second generation employee is defined as an employee who currently works at the same educational institution where one or both of their parents were employed. This qualitative grounded theory study relied on in-depth interviews as the primary source of data collection. The author described how his professional and personal experiences strengthened his theoretical sensitivity that provided insight into this hidden population of higher education employees. The grounded theory approach the researcher followed was of a Straussian perspective and therefore a thorough literature review conducted prior to the collection of data is included. Beyond an extensive history of community colleges, the related works are few due to the lack of previous studies related to the target population. However, several studies from the literature review became key works in developing the theoretical framework that emerged late in the study. This late development of the theoretical framework is an indication of the researcher's theoretical agnosticism from which existent literature was viewed and determined as applicable to the researcher's observations. The constant comparative method of analysis used is further described in a detailed presentation on theoretical sampling. Through this method three key themes emerged: occupational advantages, parental influence on career satisfaction, and family and institution. By using and comparing data with theories from existent literature, member checks supported and strengthened the accuracy of the discovered theory that correlates second generation community college employees with a greater likelihood of career satisfaction. The immediate and resonating utility of this study was presented as implications for practice. Ultimately this study contributed to the existent theories that assist educational leaders in developing an understanding of their environment. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Community Colleges, College Faculty, Job Satisfaction, Grounded Theory, Family Characteristics, Qualitative Research, Interviews, Correlation, Parent Influence
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Two Year Colleges; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A