Undocumented college students’ career-related communication with their parents and the ecological vocational anticipatory socialization model

Abstract While prior Vocational Anticipatory Socialization (VAS) research has emphasized the content and sources of VAS messages, this study extends such research by exploring how individuals react to these messages, especially when constrained by legal barriers. Using Social Cognitive Career Theory, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 40 undocumented college students to explore the parental VAS messages they receive, their reactions, and how both messages and reactions are shaped by structural and cultural factors. Nine kinds of messages emerged and were categorized into three larger types: value, instructional, and trust/support messages. A thematic co-occurrence analysis revealed relationships between message types and reactions, as well as career-related outlooks, choices, and engagement with parents and nonparental figures. Our findings led to the development of the Ecological VAS Model, which extends VAS theorizing by illustrating how structural, cultural, and relational factors permeate the entire VAS process—from message content, reactions, to career choices.