title: Who is interested in careers in mental retardation and developmental disabilities?
abstract: In an effort to understand factors that may influence individuals to pursue careers in mental retardation, we asked students enrolled in a 10-week course and practicum experience to complete a pretest-posttest assessment of career interest. Results indicated that students having prior exposure to individuals with mental retardation reported significantly higher levels of career interest than did students without such experience. There were no significant changes in career interest from pre- to posttest. Students with a history of volunteering with individuals who had mental retardation comprised the largest group of students reporting career interest.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital (CHPB-4), Columbus, OH 43205.
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Kobe
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hammer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D003479:Curriculum; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D000078329:Workforce