University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Factors that influence students to choose cybersecurity careers: An exploratory study

Emerick, Gerald John

Content Files
21015_CurrentlyApproved_07082020.pdf
EMERICK-DISSERTATION-2020.pdf

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/109356

Description

Title
Factors that influence students to choose cybersecurity careers: An exploratory study
Author(s)
Emerick, Gerald John
Issue Date
2020-11-19
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Cope, Bill
Committee Member(s)
  • Kalantzis, Mary
  • Montebello, Matthew
  • Pak, Yoon
Department of Study
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Discipline
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ed.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2021-03-05T21:36:55Z
Keyword(s)
cybersecurity, cyber security, education, influencing factors, career choice, NICE Framework, ABET Cybersecurity
Abstract
Despite the strong, global demand for talented workers, higher than average salaries, and relatively low education requirements (bachelor’s degree) for computing fields such as cybersecurity, there continues to be a pipeline issue with graduating enough workers educated in cybersecurity to fill the demand in the United States and globally (Information Security Analysts, 2019; Morgan, 2017). At the same time, while there is significant literature related to factors that influence students to choose STEM careers more generally, there appears to be a lack of literature that addresses factors that influence students to choose a career in cybersecurity. This lack of literature limits our understanding of what interventions and programs may improve the cybersecurity pipeline issue. This study utilized a mixed-methods case study approach with the goal of providing insight into what factors influenced students in an accredited university cybersecurity program to choose cybersecurity as their career. The study also sought to better understand what aspects of cybersecurity the students found most and least interesting. Twenty-nine new cybersecurity students and 10 information systems students completed a mixed-methods survey, and five faculty at the Midwestern university were interviewed. Key findings suggest strong themes of factors that influence students to choose cybersecurity careers and these students’ interests in traditional computing subjects as well as subjects specific to cybersecurity. Differences in influencing factors, interests, barriers, and obstacles amongst female and minority students suggest unique considerations and challenges.
Graduation Semester
2020-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/109356
Copyright and License Information
© 2020 Gerald John Emerick

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