TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION STUDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES AND SOUTH AFRICA: PROGRAM PERCEPTION AND CAREER PREPARATION

The incorporation of Technology promoting workforce globalization and mobility is important for 21st century learners’ academic programs. Technology Education degree programs are an avenue to learn more about technological processes, and how to implement those processes into both the educational and workplace arena. Since technology allows unlimited global access, students of such programs gain applicable knowledge to solve real-world problems; thus, being prepared for occupational and geographical mobility. In making the global comparison, the Technology Education students at Jackson State University in the United States of America (U.S.A.) and the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in South Africa (S.A.) participated in research to evaluate their attitudes and career aspirations of Technology Education degree programs’ preparation for a global workforce. The results of this pilot study identified students’ attitudes toward Technology Education programs. Results also identified how the students’ programs have modified their attitude of Technology and how the programs prepared them for desired career aspiration.