Gender and Multi-Cultural Curriculum Issues for Undergraduate Aviation Students

Abstract

St. Cloud State University aviation students were asked about their perception of completed multicultural, gender and minority (MGM) diversity course requirements and their beliefs concerning current aviation industry workplace practices regarding gender and minority issues. The authors’ goal was to examine how students are being prepared for employment in a diverse aviation work environment. Data were collected through the use of a survey questionnaire distributed amongst undergraduate students (n = 99) about their experiences with MGM coursework. Students were asked demographic related questions regarding age, school year, major area of study, and then were directed to respond to questions which used a Likert-type five point scale. The results were not generalized to the larger post secondary student population as this study is institution and domain specific. The researchers found that respondents surveyed for this study were exposed to the MGM component about non-Western societies. The respondents indicated that qualified candidates should be considered equally for employment regardless of gender and/or ethnicity. Results also indicated that respondents would like the existing work culture to be preserved and they did not believe that the courses prepared them to work in a diverse organizational environment.