The Awareness of Doctoral-Level Professions Among Entering College Students

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to survey entering college students’ awareness of the profession of audiology, as well as to compare the students’ awareness of audiology to their awareness of roles in 2 other doctoral-level professions. A survey examining students’ awareness and perception of the profession of audiology was administered in 2009 at the California University of Pennsylvania (Emanuel, Donai, & Araj, 2012). A modified survey, which included questions about awareness of the profession of audiology as well as podiatry and optometry, was distributed in 2012. Survey data suggest that, overall, students were more accurate in describing the profession of optometry compared to audiology, but no difference existed between their awareness of podiatry and audiology. However, students with self-reported awareness of the three professions were more accurate in describing the professions of podiatry and optometry as compared to audiology. Results of this distribution suggest an upward trend in audiology awareness among students. However, the awareness of audiology as a potential career path is low relative to that of the professions of optometry and podiatry for those with self-reported knowledge. Future surveys should be distributed to entering college students at other universities, varying in size, location, and demographics.