A FOLLOW-UP STUDY OF ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE STUDENTS SPECIALIZING IN THE AREA OF ACCOUNTING, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, AND MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTIVE EDUCATION FROM 1977-1981 (NEW JERSEY)

This study examined and analyzed student perceptions of the Division of Business at Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey. More specifically, the study was concerned with (1) developing a profile of Essex County College business and accounting students who earned at least 40 credits within the five year period 1977-1981; (2) furnishing vital information as to the success of the business courses of study and instruction for occupational advancement and higher education; (3) determining the problems its business students encountered transferring to four-year institutions; (4) reviewing the merits of the community college as a vehicle in providing urban and minority students with a path toward social mobility and economic and social success; (5) providing information in the field of Marketing and Distributive Education; and (6) introducing research for use by other colleges and universities.;Based upon the information received, the Essex County College Business and Accounting respondents had the following characteristics: (1) the majority of the students were between 20 to 39 years of age, and (2) most students selected Essex County College as their post-secondary institution because of its cost, location, and funding available.;In addition to the above, some of the major findings were as follows: (1) students perceived their training at ECC to be equal to the training received at four-year institutions, (2) based upon the data, the community college seems to be the place where student-teacher interaction is highest and where accessibility is a key characteristic, (3) students employed in a Marketing and Distributive Education occupational area believed that the two-year community college education helped pave the way toward job advancement, and (4) 70 percent of the students indicated that they thought they would not have advanced as far as they had without their training at ECC, and over 51 percent reported that because of their preparation at ECC they were able to obtain a job, get a promotion or receive a higher rate of pay. A list of implications and recommendations for further research are included in the study.;To secure data, a questionnaire was developed (based on the literature), reviewed by a panel of experts, and pilot tested. Data were collected by questionnaire. Five hundred fifty-seven questionnaires were mailed to students and a total of 305 responses or 55 percent were returned and analyzed by processing the data.