Making Science Make Sense

Bayer Facts of Science Education Survey

Bayer Facts Of Science Eduction VIII
U.S. College Students Look Ahead Post September 11

Behavior Changes Made as a Result of Terror Attacks on America

Question 1

Thinking about the recent terror attacks on America, which, if any, of the following have you, yourself, experienced or done as a result of these attacks. Have you:

Kept in closer touch with family members
Become more aware of what is happening around you
Considered changing your career plans or talked about it
Considered changing your major
Considered, for the first time, joining the military or intelligence fields

A large majority (87%) of college students surveyed responded "yes" to at least one of the above. Most (82%) college students, when asked, say they are more aware of what is happening around them since the terror attacks on America. More than half (53%) report that they have kept in closer touch with family members as a result of these attacks. Further, 17% indicated they have considered changing career plans, changing their major or considering the military or intelligence field for the first time. Male students were more likely than females to say they had considered changing careers, changing their major or considering the military intelligence field (20% vs. 14%). One in every eleven (9%) say they have considered, for the first time, joining the military or intelligence fields. Nearly as many (8%) say they have considered changing career plans. One in twenty (5%) report having considered changing their major. Thirteen percent report they have not done or considered any of these changes.

Freshman and sophomores are more likely than juniors or seniors to say they have kept in closer touch with family members since the terror attacks. Female students are also more likely to say they have kept in closer contact with family members. In addition, women are more likely to report they have become more aware of what is happening around them.

CONSIDERED CHANGING CAREER PLANS/MAJOR/JOINING MILITARY/INTELLIGENCE AS A RESULT OF TERROR ATTACKS ON AMERICA (n=1,000)

PERCENTAGE SAYING "YES" (n=1000)