A Cross Sectional Study Exploring Factors Impacting Recruitment of African American College Students into the Genetic Counseling Profession

Abstract

African Americans account for about 12.7% of the United States population, but only 1% of the National Society of Genetic Counselors' membership identifies as African American. Since individuals often seek health care from providers sharing similar backgrounds, training genetic counselors from diverse backgrounds is critical. Psychology and biology students (N=552) at four universities completed a self-administered online survey assessing the influence of genetic counseling awareness, demographics, and career decisions on students' interest in pursuing genetic counseling as a career. More African Americans (83%) than Caucasians (62%) reported having chosen a career (p< or = .001). Of the 65% of students who indicated interest in the career description of genetic counseling, fewer African Americans (50%) than Caucasians (74%) had heard of genetic counseling (p< or = .001). Specific strategies to overcome recruiting barriers such as early career selection and lack of awareness of the genetic counseling career among African Americans are suggested.

Increasing diversity in the genetic counseling profession: Development of recruitment tools for African American undergraduate students

“…Results showed that, when rating interest, the percentage of African Americans mildly or very interested in genetic counseling was significantly higher than white college students; however, ‘a significantly smaller percentage of African Americans had heard of genetic counseling’, and this difference was more pronounced between freshmen African American students as compared to upper classmen. The most common modes of introduction to genetic counseling for African American students were media (48%) and the Internet (33%), while white students more commonly indicated college coursework (63%) and college professor (50%) as modes of introduction (Schneider et al, 2009). These data suggest that discussing genetic counseling in coursework may improve awareness of the career for African American undergraduates.…”

“…These data suggest that discussing genetic counseling in coursework may improve awareness of the career for African American undergraduates. Other potential effective strategies identified to increase recruitment of African American students included providing scholarship funds to attend graduate school as well as paid internships (Schneider et al, 2009).…”

Undergraduate Student Perceptions and Awareness of Genetic Counseling

“…A previous study found that while minority students tend to be less aware of genetic counseling, they are just as likely to consider it once they are made aware of the field (Oh and Lewis 2005). A previous study also showed that what most interests students about careers can differ by ethnicity (Schneider et al 2009). In terms of gender, studies differ regarding whether males are as likely as females to consider a career in the field (Kopesky et al 2011;Oh and Lewis 2005).…”

Enriching the Genetic Counseling Recruitment Pipeline: A National Cross‐Sectional Study of Public High School Counselors

“…Recruitment of individuals into the genetic counseling pipeline in high school is essential to increase the pool of potential applicants, especially ethnically diverse applicants. Studies of high school and undergraduate students conclude that many students, both Caucasians and minorities, choose their career before entering college (Bloxom et al 2008;Gibbons et al 2006;Schneider et al 2009). Schneider et al (2009) found that African American undergraduate students were more likely to have decided on a career in high school compared to Caucasian students, emphasizing the importance of early recruitment for minority students.…”

“…Studies of high school and undergraduate students conclude that many students, both Caucasians and minorities, choose their career before entering college (Bloxom et al 2008;Gibbons et al 2006;Schneider et al 2009). Schneider et al (2009) found that African American undergraduate students were more likely to have decided on a career in high school compared to Caucasian students, emphasizing the importance of early recruitment for minority students. Mittman and Downs (2008) found that "early awareness of genetic counseling is helpful in making the transition from potential applicant to actual applicant (p.304)."…”