Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine: (1) the perceived relative importance of ten motivational factors in the job choice process; (2) if there is a difference in perceptions of students in regard to the level of the ten motivational factors actually in an agricultural job today, and in an ideal job, required for selection of a career in an agricultural job; (3) if there are differences by scholastic, ethnicity, or gender groups in their perceptions of the level of importance of the ten motivational factors to be found in agriculture as a profession, necessary to get one to select a career in agriculture. Major Findings. (1) Autonomy in the work place and retirement programs were the highest ranking factors in career selection; (2) decision participation was identified as significantly more important for Superior students than for Above Average students; (3) the factors of salary and prestige were rated significantly higher by Asian students than by White students and decision participation was rated significantly higher by White students than by Asian or Hispanic students in agricultural jobs today; (4) significant differences for were found in the factors of salary, advancement opportunities and merit pay for Male students and societal influence and decision participation was rated significantly higher by Female students in agricultural jobs today. Conclusions and recommendations. (1) Agricultural careers need to be clearly defined each and every time they are presented to high school students; (2) the factor of retirement programs need to be explored in the agricultural industry, and if they are weak, steps must be taken to make them more competitive; (3) recruiting efforts by higher colleges and universities should take in the ethnic and gender differences found in perceptions towards agricultural careers.