| The primary purpose of this study was to determine if the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Agricultural Sciences (PGSAS) provided program participants with experiences and information which expanded their knowledge of educational and career opportunities related to food, agriculture and natural resources. A second purpose was to determine if the Governor's School experience provided program participants with an opportunity to explore scientific concepts, interact with professional scientists and to use research techniques available in the agricultural sciences. A questionnaire was developed and mailed to the population of 313 past program participants of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Agricultural Sciences. Information was obtained relative to future education and career plans, immediate career plans, current perceptions regarding careers in or related to food, agriculture and natural resources, personal growth and development and sociodemographic characteristics of PGSAS participants. A 75.1 percent usable response was received.;PGSAS program participants rated PGSAS, father and mother as having some degree of influence on choice of a college major. Program participants rated psychological determinants including personal interests, personal happiness, personal ability and skills and career interests as having a strong influence on their choice of a college major.;Program participants rated a person employed in the profession, PGSAS, father and mother as the individuals and experiences having the most influence on their choice of a career. Program participants rated personal interests, personal happiness and personal ability and skills as having a strong influence on their choice of career. Program participants' current perceptions of educational and career opportunities in or related to food, agriculture and natural resources were for the most part very positive.;Over half (59.5%) of the program participants plan to attend graduate school. One-fifth classified their choice of graduate or professional majors as related to food, agriculture and natural resources including veterinary medicine.;Overall program participants perceived that they benefited and were satisfied with their research experience during the Governor's School program. Program participants rated writing research reports, conducting individual research and learning research techniques as being the most beneficial aspects of the research aspect of PGSAS. |
