Doctoral Research Presentation
Doctoral Research Presentation
A ROAD LESS TRAVELED? - A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF PERSONAL
CHARACTERISTICS AND FORMATIVE EXPERIENCES LEADING COLLEGE
AND UNIVERSITY
GRADUATES INTO PUBLIC SERVICE CAREERS
Steve Hendrix
Ph.D. in
Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum
Jeanne Rainbolt College of Education
University of Oklahoma
A
n Overview of the Study
•
Some Background
•
Research Problem: Crisis of U.S. civic engagement and
the role of civic education
Declining civic engagement at the end of the 20
th
century
Efforts to intensify civic education to boost civic engagement
among America’s youth
Evidence of effort success & concerns
Narrowed focus: Professional public service as a form of
civic engagement.
A
n Overview of the Study
•
Broader Question: How education can encourage civic
engagement through professional public service.
•
Research Question: Why do college/university graduates choose
careers in public service?
•
Scholarship Context – reflective of researcher aims.
Public Service Motivation (PSM) literature – insights into
individual PS motivational influences and factors
Undergraduate civic/political education – how collegiate
education contributes to career PS decisions & prep
The Interpretive
Framework
•
The Praxis Lens – Rising from analysis of the findings
Praxis Cycle =
being – doing – reflecting (becoming)
Common concept: Informed, reflective action
Deeper insights gleaned from key philosophers: Aristotle,
Dewey, Hegel, and Maslow
Key Ideas:
Fluid interactive movement
Ethical/virtue-based action
Transformational development
Research Methods
•
Qualitative Study
Narrative Inquiry: Biographical and Psychological
Data gleaned from observations of participant narratives
through semi-structured interviews.
Respondents asked to describe their biographical journeys into
professional public service
Secondary questions related to collegiate experiences.
Follow up: Request for suggestions of effective public service
education curriculum, program design, & learning.
Research Methods
Findings
DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
•
Key Ideas
Deep internal drive for public service.
Rewards were non-material.
Professional public service = path to self-fulfillment.
Collegiate experiences reflective of PS convictions & ambitions.
•
Contributions to Research
PSM: Confirmation of research with some added insights.
PS Education: Experiences & recommendations consistent
with current scholarship
DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS
•
Recommendations
Praxis dynamics inform educational practice.
Using Praxis Lens as framework for PS education programming.
•
Further Study
Applicability of the Praxis Lens to other PS research
Evaluation of educational programming structured around
praxis dynamics.
Conducting a qualitative study, this research delves into the personal characteristics and influential experiences that steer college and university graduates towards careers in public service. By exploring the motivations behind such career choices, the study aims to shed light on the role of education in fostering civic engagement and professional service. Utilizing a narrative inquiry approach, participants' biographical journeys and collegiate experiences are analyzed to glean insights into effective public service education curriculum and program development.
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Presentation Transcript
Doctoral Research Presentation A ROAD LESS TRAVELED? - A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FORMATIVE EXPERIENCES LEADING COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY GRADUATES INTO PUBLIC SERVICE CAREERS Steve Hendrix Ph.D. in Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum Jeanne Rainbolt College of Education University of Oklahoma
An Overview of the Study Some Background Research Problem: Crisis of U.S. civic engagement and the role of civic education Declining civic engagement at the end of the 20thcentury Efforts to intensify civic education to boost civic engagement among America s youth Evidence of effort success & concerns Narrowed focus: Professional public service as a form of civic engagement.
An Overview of the Study Broader Question: How education can encourage civic engagement through professional public service. Research Question: Why do college/university graduates choose careers in public service? Scholarship Context reflective of researcher aims. Public Service Motivation (PSM) literature insights into individual PS motivational influences and factors Undergraduate civic/political education how collegiate education contributes to career PS decisions & prep
The Interpretive Framework The Praxis Lens Rising from analysis of the findings Praxis Cycle = being doing reflecting (becoming) Common concept: Informed, reflective action Deeper insights gleaned from key philosophers: Aristotle, Dewey, Hegel, and Maslow Key Ideas: Fluid interactive movement Ethical/virtue-based action Transformational development
Research Methods Qualitative Study Narrative Inquiry: Biographical and Psychological Data gleaned from observations of participant narratives through semi-structured interviews. Respondents asked to describe their biographical journeys into professional public service Secondary questions related to collegiate experiences. Follow up: Request for suggestions of effective public service education curriculum, program design, & learning.
Research Methods Name Location Type of Organization Job Title/Type Tiffany B. Michigan State Government Agency Case Manager Cade C. Oklahoma NPO Higher Education College Administrator Lucia C. Michigan NPO Charitable Program Director Raegyn H. Oklahoma State Government Policy Advisor Robert L. Kansas City City Government Budget & Performance Analyst Melanie M. Michigan State Government Agency Case Manager Sean M. Oklahoma U.S. Military Civilian Logistics Specialist Shay M. Michigan NPO Charitable Program Director Wade M. Oklahoma U.S. Government Field Dir. for Congressional Rep. Jacob P. Kansas City City Government Budget & Performance Analyst Julie R. Kansas City City Government Assistant City Manager Michael R. Kansas City City Government Budget Manager Raj R. Oklahoma U.S./State Government Program Manager
DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS Key Ideas Deep internal drive for public service. Rewards were non-material. Professional public service = path to self-fulfillment. Collegiate experiences reflective of PS convictions & ambitions. Contributions to Research PSM: Confirmation of research with some added insights. PS Education: Experiences & recommendations consistent with current scholarship
DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations Praxis dynamics inform educational practice. Using Praxis Lens as framework for PS education programming. Further Study Applicability of the Praxis Lens to other PS research Evaluation of educational programming structured around praxis dynamics.
