A comparison of values placed on career plans of hispanic immigrant and caucasian United States citizens employed in agriculture in Louisiana

Hispanic immigrants come to the United States with hopes to obtain a better life for their families through perceived better wages and educational opportunities. One source of income for Hispanic immigrants is through employment in crawfish farm operations. Crawfish farm operations benefit from the employment of Hispanic immigrants through government programs that supply workers to the industry. Therefore, many crawfish farm operations in Louisiana employ immigrant labor as well as local laborers to operate efficiently. The purpose of this study was to compare selected characteristics of crawfish farm workers as well as to explore values related to careers and monetary earnings. The results of this study indicated significant differences associated with Hispanic immigrant and Caucasian U.S. citizen crawfish farmer's values placed on careers. The results of this study can be used by extension services and other educational programs to direct future educational activities based on collected information related to values of crawfish farm employees and the comparison of human capital theory in assimilation.