2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The Use of Family Career Genogram in Assessing Undergraduate Engineering Student Success

Presented at Student Experiences and Development – Session 2

Families influence the formation of future workforce career choices and interests. Family values and relationships influence an individual’s academic and career decision-making processes. Bowen’s family systems theory posits individual’s attitudes and behaviors as a product of intergenerational family patterns. Bowenian family genogram, a visual representation tool, to depict patterns of attitudes and behaviors that are transmitted across multiple generations. To the authors best knowledge, Bowen’s theory is used in this paper for the first time in engineering education. We sought to identify how exemplar engineering students describe family patterns that influence their engineering success. Career genogram construction and semi-structured interviews reflected intergenerational family patterns that contributed to the success of three exemplar senior students in engineering. Case-studies were selected using Exemplar Methodology (ExM). Data was collected on familial career exposure and attitudes, resulting in the development of genograms. Findings reflect supportive communication, encouraged help seeking, and reliable support were normed in each family system. Observing family members with engineering experience, engaging in pre-college STEM related activities, and family attitudes about the value of career were integral to engineering selection and success. Genograms reflected use of family system communication to resolve the stressors of career pursuit. The findings have the potential to inform undergraduate engineering recruitment and retention planning efforts, enhancing academic career services, advising, and counseling.

Authors

Rawle D. Sookwah http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4228-0317 University of South Carolina [biography]

Rawle D. Sookwah is a doctoral candidate in the counselor education and supervision program at the University of South Carolina (USC). Rawle completed his Bachelor’s degree in experimental psychology and his Master’s degree in counselor education at USC. He works as a graduate teaching assistant in the counseling minor program and conducts research through the College of Education Wellness Enhancement Lab. He conducts interdisciplinary research through his graduate research assistantship with a National Science Foundation funded team in the USC College of Engineering. His research interests include family systems, strength-based crisis intervention, and college student wellness. Mr. Sookwah is a licensed professional counselor in South Carolina and a nationally certified counselor, serving through the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team and his private practice.
Dr. Sona Gholizadeh http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8307-9708 University of South Carolina [biography]

Dr. Sona Gholizadeh is currently a research assistant professor of engineering education in the College of Engineering and Computing at the University of South Carolina. She received her Ph.D. in science education from the University of Central Florida (UCF). She has earned an M.S. degree in industrial engineering from Sharif University of Technology, and a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Tabriz University. Her research interests focus on mental health and wellness in engineering, retention of engineering students from underrepresented groups, engineering student interactions with peers and faculty, and system thinking and system analysis. Dr. Gholizadeh has also work experience as an educational data analyst and strategic planning project manager.
Mrs. Shanta A. Jerideau http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6719-4792 University of South Carolina [biography]

Shanta Jerideau is a doctoral candidate in the counseling education and supervision program at the University of South Carolina (USC). Shanta obtained her B.A. degree in psychology from Benedict College. She completed her M.A. degree in counseling at South University. Her research interests include wellness in underrepresented populations, trauma, and families. She serves as a graduate research assistant on National Science Foundation funded interdisciplinary research with the College of Engineering at USC. Ms. Jerideau is a licensed professional counselor and teaches undergraduate courses in the Counseling Minor program.
Mr. Lindell D. Diez [biography]

Lindell Diez is a first-year graduate student, obtaining his Ed.S. degree in the counselor education program at the University of South Carolina (USC). He completed his B.A. degree in psychology with a minor in counseling while attending USC. His program track is marriage, couples, and family counseling meanwhile pursuing certification in play therapy through USC. He previously served as an intern at Sandel Elementary School during which he provided both interpersonal support and academic assistance. Mr. Diez is a graduate research assistant, conducting research on family system influences on career decisions within undergraduate engineering students.
Dr. Ryan G. Carlson University of South Carolina [biography]

Dr. Ryan G. Carlson is Professor of counselor education at the University of South Carolina (USC), and Director for the Consortium of Family Strengthening Research. Dr. Carlson’s research focuses on vulnerable couples and families, including relationship education outcomes, implementation science, and intimate partner violence. He has been awarded numerous grants from local and federal funders, and currently serves as the lead evaluator for a randomized controlled trial of relationship education being implemented at the University of Central Florida. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers and conducted over 90 presentations at conferences. Dr. Carlson is also a licensed professional counselor in South Carolina and coordinator for the Center for Community Counseling in the College of Education at USC.

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