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Approximately 10% of college students participate in Greek-letter social organizations (fraternities and sororities), yet minimal research has been conducted on the career development of students in these groups. The purpose of this study was to examine Greek-life membership and students' vocational identity, career decision- making self-efficacy, and goal instability, three aspects of student career development. Participants included 205 students affiliated with fraternities and sororities and 231 nonaffiliated students. Two independent variables (group and gender) and three dependent variables (vocational identity, career decision-making self-efficacy, and goal instability) were explored, with GPA serving as a moderator variable. Limitations, implications, and directions for future research are addressed.
For more than 200 years, college students have had the opportunity to seek membership in Greek-letter social organizations, specifically fraternities and sororities. During the 2008 academic year, more than 90,000 women were initiated into sororities, 400,000 men initiated in fraternities, and there were approximately 10 million alumni nation-wide (The Interfraternity Council, 2010). Although participation in these groups can foster friendship, leadership, scholarship, service, and overall college satisfaction, there is significant debate across college campuses about the value of involvement in such social organizations (Pascarella, Flowers, & Whitt, 2001). For example, some research suggests that Greek-life membership leads to risky sexual behavior, higher levels of alcohol consumption, hazing injuries, and negatively impacts cognitive development (DeBard, Lake, & Binder, 2006).
Astin and Vogelgesang (2006) found that social interaction, active involvement, and student engagement are critical factors for promoting college success. While past research has assessed the relationship of Greek-life membership to academic achievement, college adjustment, and overall cognitive development, research related to career development factors has been limited (DeBard, Lake, & Binder, 2006). The present study sought to examine how membership in a sorority or fraternity was related to student career development, including vocational identity, career decision-making self-efficacy, and goal instability. For the purposes of this study Greek-life or Greek-letter social organizations refers to members in sororities and fraternities, and does not included academic or professional honorary groups.
Several theories were used to conceptualize and examine the constructs investigated in the present study. Holland's (1997) person-environment fit theory was utilized to examine vocational identity, while the social-cognitive career theory was used to examine career decision-making self-efficacy. Both of these theories emphasize the...